Hello,
I am very new to cat sailing. Wanted to all my life. I have a Nacra 5.2. It seems when the wind kicks in, that the hull on the leeward side wants to dive. I have much to learn including terminology. Could be the way I have the sails. Not sure. I know Mast Rake can have an effect.
Hello!Â
Found a good book that is answering some of my questions. Quite a bit is my lack of knowledge and experience. The foot strap on the trampoline seems rather close to the hull. Seems like I would have to fold myself up. The previous owner did modifications. Typically how far should they be from the hull?
There are a lot of folks here with WAY more knowledge than me, but when this happens to me it's the usual suspects - either because my weight is too far forward on the trampoline, or because the boat is overpowered and i need to let out some mainsheet or let the mainsheet traveler out.
Hello,
I am very new to cat sailing. Wanted to all my life. I have a Nacra 5.2. It seems when the wind kicks in, that the hull on the leeward side wants to dive. ..
Welcome to beachcat sailing! Tell us a little about your sailing area and conditions.Â
The 5.2 is a great boat but fairly low volume hulls, so a little more weight sensitive than some. Are you sailing alone or with crew? What is your total weight onboard, including any gear you carry along. When i started sailing a H18 I didn't get the weight thing and often carried a large cooler along! 🤣Â
Go look up Joyrider TV on Youtube. Lots and lots of vids and info for tuning the rig for different crew weights and skill levels, etc....here's just a little example:
" The foot strap on the trampoline seems rather close to the hull. Seems like I would have to fold myself up. The previous owner did modifications. Typically how far should they be from the hull?"
If you're describing the long fore-aft hiking straps on the tramp, yeah, I've hardly ever used those.... I would most always be hooked into and out on the trapeze on my P18 and H18. If those hiking straps are tight enough (they rarely ever are) then you'd put your ankles underneath the straps with your body's weight on your thighs that would be positioned over the outside of the windward hull in a cantilevered way, and your butt would sometimes catch some wave-tops if you're not flying the hull. Better get your ankles out from under those straps in a hurry if you're about to flip or pitch-pole. The problem with those hiking straps is that it is almost impossible to move fore and aft fast enough in nice sailing conditions to save a pitch-pole.Â
@allanbcd Great video that @cat-scratch posted but don't let it confuse you, the Nacra 5.2 rigs connects the mast completely different than the Hobie 16.
Some Nacra 5.2 images that might help.
https://archive.thebeachcats.com/pictures/index.php?/category/1004
original Nacra 5.2 assembly manual (PDF download)
https://archive.thebeachcats.com/pictures/picture.php?/23854/category/950
Scans of the pages with glossary of terms.
https://archive.thebeachcats.com/pictures/index.php?/category/947
Wow!! Thank you all for responding! Great stuff!!!
I live on a smaller lake in the UP. Lost Lake. Just get going and have to tack. I went out Sunday. Winds were gusting to 30 mph. The winds can be a bit unpredictable because the lake is surrounded by trees and it has an island. Can't wait to go out on a bigger lake. I was not prepared. I have a new respect for the wind and what it can do with sails! There are a couple of things on the boat rigging that need to change. The main sheet rope is way too short. I was sailing solo on Saturday and Sunday. I have had my grandson out a couple times. He seems very interested. Hoping to try some racing next year! I weigh about 225. Not much for gear at this point. Just a lightweight paddle. Seriously working on losing a little more weight. Want to fit into a wetsuit a little better 🤣 Â
You will find the 5.2 tolerates the lee hull dipping under water a bit, but as the wind intensifies and you move from close-reach, to beam reach and broad reach, you will need to move your weight back towards the transom to keep the bow above water and avoid a capsize or hard stall. With a closer reach, allowing the sail to luff can reduce pressure and hiking angles, but at very high winds, luffing simply presents more sail to the wind and increases the risk of a pitch-pole if your weight is not very far back to counter.
Hey all!
Spent some time watching pitchpole videos. I saw the one with the Nacra 17 USA racers in Auckland! Nobody ever told me about pitchpoling! They said an "inopportune puff!" Yikes!!!!!! 😀Â
Nobody ever told me about pitchpoling!Â
The Pitchpole...embrace it!
The Peter Pan...We can fly!
I recall from a time long long ago, a maneuver from the trapeze wire, where the boat dug in, stalled and facilitated what is known as a "Peter Pan", quickly followed by a trip under the dolphin striker. Â
🤣
my recommendation for heavy winds:
on beach : de-power the rig & sails. (mast diamond wires looser, battens snugged in, but not tight)
when sailing : lots of downhaul, outhaul also tight, (flatter sail less power), then travel out a bit when going upwind (little less power), and keep your weight towards the back.
If you will be trapezing, make a foot-strap behind the rear beam, to keep the skipper planted firmly. If not trapezing, skipper sits at rear beam, forward foot under hiking strap, rear foot pushed against tramp lacing, for support.
the comments are correct realtive to other NACRAs, 5.2 has less hull volume up front. However, compared to other cats of its era (Hobie, Prindle), the hull shape of 5.2 is actually resistant to pitchpole. it will stuff the hulls, but unless the crew goes flying way forward, it ususally justs slows down, stops, or maybe tips over sideways.
However, the 5.2 can actually be pushed hard when sailed well. I have buried the entire leeward bow in front of beam, without going over, as I just kept releasing more & more of the mainsheet.
Jim Casto Austin TX
NACRA 5.5 uni / sloop #427 "TWO HOT" (for sale by me)
previously:Â
Prindle 16 "Winned Instrument"Â
NACRA 5.7 #461 "Wet Spot" / Old Skull Racing (for sale by current owner)
Ensign #1167 (monohull) "One with the Wind"
NACRA 5.8 #56
NACRA 5.2 #456
@jcasto1 Nice!!! Thanks for the reply! Sitting here with 18" of snow. Can't wait for spring!!
check out CRAW Catamaran Racing Association of Wisconsin Lots of us started with the H16 or Nacra 5.2 and would love to have you join us for a regetta and provide any help we can. Looks iike you are from the St Germaine area of WI by your posting and the Green Bay and Lake Petenwell regettas are with in a couple of hour drive if yuor intrested
@allanbcd There are a lot of factors to consider... I have raced an assortment of Nacras... For the most part, any beach cat will bury the leeward hull. A buddy and I used to sail a N5.2 and see how deep we could bury the bow in the mud with an intentional pitchpole. The most we got was about 12" past the forestay. The Nacras will handle a bury better than flat deck boats (EX: Prindle 18-2 2, 19 & Tornados). You will just learn the limits and have fun finding them.
@wicatsailor @wicatsailor Hello! Our lake still has ice and snow in the yard. I live in the UP over by Munising. I am looking to sign up with CRAW. Many of the venues are a little closer for us. Hope to make the Lake Mills Regatta. Have family in Edgerton. Winter has been way to long up here!!