I've taken on a rather silly quest and I was hoping for some help from the experts. The short version is: what would be the cheapest option for a main sail to get going if I can repair a salvage boat?
Here's the fun backstory (the pictures don't come up in preview but the links work):
I tool around on a hobie 14 with the kids, I wouldn't call us sailors but we have fun around the local lakes. We'd love something bigger so they could each bring a friend without going underwater but it's not in the budget....until I found this derelict nacra 5.2 sunk on a peninsula of public land. Clearly it broke free and died a horrible death on the rocks a long time ago and has been regarded as not worth salvaging by any others who saw it.
https://imgur.com/EmJgKnz
But I'm not others. I have spare time and a nearby west marine. I'm going to bring it back from the dead. I returned to the site and was able to drain it inch by inch and pull it to land. It's become its own habitat of algae and egg sacs and I pulled several fish out of the hull as it drained :). https://imgur.com/F3cSbfZ
https://imgur.com/nS6QWg3
To maximize the ridiculousness i used the kids pool floats under the pontoons to tow it back to the dock and it actually worked! I figured this might end with a funny story and a sunken boat in a slightly different place. I fetched the mast separately.
https://imgur.com/F1ZIfMu
Now the actual work begins... here's the hull damage:
left pontoon https://imgur.com/Oh2oXJ0
right pontoon https://imgur.com/pGhnUBp (kitten for scale)
Again, I realize this boat has no value and is probably not worth trying to save but I have space on my property to work on it and no hurry while I try my fiberglass skills. It's never going to race or see the ocean, I'll just scoot around a lake with kids and I don't care if my patches are so ugly they make their own wake. I'm honestly not sure if I can get it watertight again but there's no harm in trying and I'm interested in developing the glass skills.
Here's where I need expert advice (besides the obvious "you're wasting your time"). Assuming I can repair the hull there are no daggers, sails, or boom...and most importantly no budget mercy from the wife...especially for a silly project boat. What's the cheapest way I could get it moving again? There's a 5.2 sail on ebay for $289 .. which might be cheap enough to justify if it didn't also need a set of battens and a boom. Could I throw up a boomless sail from say a 5.0, 5.8, gcat, or prindle 18? I'd much prefer boomless anyways as its more kid friendly. It'll be many moons before i can add a jib sail. I might test it out with the hobie 14 sail since it's on hand but that might look more ridiculous than the pool floats... and it would be nice not to share one tiny sail between two crappy boats.
So, I hope you got a laugh out of this... and if anybody has any wisdom to share on how to breathe life into this 42 year old beast on a budget I would much appreciate it!
Edited by rekliner on Aug 12, 2019 - 01:34 PM.
'77 nacra 5.2 sunken treasure
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Posted: Aug 12, 2019 - 01:15 PM
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Posted: Aug 12, 2019 - 01:34 PM
I admire your optimism! Don't let the naysayers talk you out of it. However, Your picture's links wont work for me so I'm not sure what you're working with.
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Nacra 6.0 NA
Ogden Dunes, IN
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Posted: Aug 12, 2019 - 01:39 PM
Sorry, its a much less funny story without pictures. I didn't see how to upload them directly, perhaps because of the new account.
Try this link to the whole album of pictures: https://imgur.com/a/aN8IrLo -
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Posted: Aug 12, 2019 - 01:39 PM
I've seen the pictures! good luck! keep us posted with pictures. Nothing insightful to add beyond that. My biggest question would be wheres the mast?
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Nacra 6.0 NA
Ogden Dunes, IN
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Posted: Aug 12, 2019 - 01:41 PM
I took it down before i snapped the first picture...currently its in my yard :). It might have a slight bend to one side but seems otherwise intact. -
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Posted: Aug 12, 2019 - 02:44 PM
Happy post update pics to keep the entertainment flowing.
Do you think a hobie 18sx sail from beachcats classifiedswould be functional? I could do $150. It looks like 16" more luff but I could work with that to add a clew for boomless use...perhaps even take it up to the bottom batton for that purpose. Hows that for crafty and cheap? -
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 05:54 AM
I get where you’re coming from, I’ve also spent mucho time on projects, just because... be realistic though, you will need ALL new lines, some blocks, bungee, resin, sails...seemingly little things add up.
It might not be that bad. When reading the first post, I thought, no rudders, that’s a big deal, but they look OK. Hopefully the traveler can be resuscitated.
Used daggers are not especially rare for that boat, I don’t know where you are, give Dan Berger, or Pete Begle a call. They both advertise here, & are honest brokers. Keep your eyes peeled for another 5.2, I have seen ads for a complete 5.2 at $400.
The holes look big, but can be fixed fairly cheap, if your not worried about looks. The big deal will be cleaning the inside of the hills. Beg, or borrow a pressure washer. Once cleaned, reach inside with a small power sander & thoroughly clean & sand the inside. Wipe down with acetone, (I’m resisting the urge to say, “buckets & buckets of acetone
). Next make a patch 3-4” bigger than the hole, using 3 or 4 layers of cloth, (orientate each layer a different direction), & use only enough resin to wet out. (Lay a sheet of poly on something smooth, paint some resin onto the poly, then lay cloth. Paint a little more on top, then “dab”, & poke with the end of the paint brush, or very gently squeegee it until the cloth is fully wetted,ie no white spots or bubbles). Let this begin to set up, but have the hull prepped & supported so the hole is horizontal, & on the bottom,(gravity is your friend here). When the patch is still “green”, (flexible), sort of roll it, or fold gently into a taco shape that will fit through the hole.
Paint some thickened resin inside the hull, then Insert & unfold the patch. If you have access through ports, lay something on top of the patch to gently press it in place. Otherwise, it may be helpful to have poked a couple small holes in the patch, attach some thin paracord that you can dangle & tie some small weights to. You can see that one needs to have everything prepared, & each step thought out before hand. A helper is gold. Once this inside patch sets up, you can flip the hull, clean/sand the outside. Sand down through the gel coat, & layup 3-4 layers of cloth on the outside. The skill here is to use only enough resin to wet out, that will keep the patch thin, but strong. Finally, sand to conform, paint one last very thin bit of resin, & paint white if you like. I wouldn’t try gel coat if you are a beginner.
Edited by Edchris177 on Aug 13, 2019 - 05:59 AM.
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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 06:10 AM
Sails- used sails for this boat are not rare, you should be able to find one. I would resist the urge to make it boom-less
You will want a jib. The jib balances the forces on the boat, it can be very difficult to tack without one. Keep a lookout using Yakaz or something. Entire suits do come up cheap.
If you read through the owner’s manual,(2 available here, under Technical IIRC), you will see the rear beam on the boomed/boomless is rigged a bit different.
Booms- the foot of the sail is stretched by pulling along the boom, & the leech by sheet tension.
Boomless- both foot & leach are stretched by sheet tension. The rear beam on Nacra boom-less is not vertical, the traveler track faces somewhat forward, so sheet tension pulls at an angle, pointing roughly 2/3 up the mast. Boomless likes sheet tensions,say that to yourself numerous times. This means the sail has to fit properly, or you will run out of travel in your main blocks. Too long of foot, they will be block-to-block, (especially if you don’t have low profile main blocks), yet the sail will still be floppy. This is critical when trying to point.
I have 2 booms for a 5.2. You can have one for free, just pay the shipping. I’m in Canada, North of Toronto, know anyone going that way? Where are you located.
Edited by Edchris177 on Aug 13, 2019 - 06:18 AM.
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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 10:48 AM
Here are some local ads for parts in Pensacola, FL.
https://pensacola.craigsl…ran-boom/6947827862.html
https://pensacola.craigsl…r-boards/6947825570.html
https://pensacola.craigsl…ain-sail/6954578662.html
https://pensacola.craigsl…eech-152/6954577794.html
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FYC, Nacra 5.2 "Chris's Flyer" & Nacra Playcat & Farrier Tramp
Previously owned: Trac 14, H14, H16, H18, N5.0, G-cat 5.0
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 11:12 AM
Nay nay nay!
I have kept my mouth shut but this is just a waste of time and money
$1000 in parts just to get the boat back to having it's needed parts
sailing this boat with no jib, no boom and no boards (i know you didn't say you were going to but ... if you had any ideas) is not safe - you can't completely change the rigging/sail plan and foils of a fast catamaran and expect it to sail true
another few hundred $ standing rigging another pocketful (hundred) for running rigging
another few $100 in epoxy, glass, sandpaper
time time time time time and time
all for a boat that is shot, dead, worthless
can it be fixed - maybe
will it be structurally sound - maybe
will it be safe in a pop up storm - maybe but no one will surprised if it has catastrophic failure
will it take a ton of time, work and cash - yes
is it worth it - not to anyone who knows what it will take
would i put my kids on this boat - no way
will it provide lots of lessons - for sure
please think about purchasing a $1000 h16 or similar
it will get you on the water much faster
if you want to work on your epoxy skills - buy a spare rudder or 2 and work on them - but imho you'd be better served working on your sailing skills (if this is something you think your kids will enjoy)
or want a good boat for the kids - get em a sunfish or laser or similar
sorry for the negativity but i felt this thread needed someone to "bring it back to reality"
Edited by MN3 on Aug 13, 2019 - 11:17 AM. -
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 11:55 AM
Another old boat saying, "The most expensive thing you can buy is a free boat". -
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 01:10 PM
Edchris, thank you so much for the detailed and realistic advice, that is exactly what I needed. I do see your point that sails, boom, and fiberglass adds up to a few hundred bucks for which a old 5.2 can be had in decent shape without all the work. But that's if I lived near a sailing community. Here in landlocked Nashville, Tennessee I haven't seen any cats on craigslist for less than $1000. I'd rather spend slowly and have a fun project, even if it is a losing venture.
The detail you included with the glass repair is gold and much appreciated. I've been watching a lot of youtubes for technique but they generally cover small repairs and left me with lots of questions. I hadn't seen anything that recommended building the base layer of patch in advance with layers of cloth on poly. I imagine your method gives the patch much more structure and makes more sense than trying to attach just a sheet of poly on the inside and keep it taut while drying (some suggested making a mold first to overcome that). I assume it also helps to have some cloth between the poly and sanded hull inside.
I can't find anything called Yakaz, google didn't help. Was that a typo?
I will take your boomless wisdom as gospel coming from someone with 2 boomless nacra's. I get it now: the geometry involved in keeping a boomless sail taut must be be designed into the boat.
That is extremely kind of you to offer a boom, thank you! I'm very familiar with casino-rama if that's where you're near...beautiful area..but I doubt i'll be back anytime. It looks like fedex can get it here for about $50us, which I will take you up on (i'll send an email soon). -
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 01:17 PM
I agree with you, personally I wouldn’t tackle this particular boat, hence my first sentence.
However, the OP has two of the three required items, time, & space.
That is why I suggested he keep an eye peeled, though it may take a year to find what he needs.
He also stated he realizes no one else would take this project on, but still wants to give it a go, so, what the h*ll.
The beauty of this, during the search he may find another gem, (like that Supercat 17 I posted a week ago, sailable as is, for $400), or one of those donated Church auction boats for like price.
His “treasure” seems to have decent beams, rudders, & possible a tramp & mast. Perhaps he can sell the good parts to finance a different boat. Nacra rudders & castings are still in demand.
I never underestimate what patience & perseverance can accomplish.
If I was going to do this, I would keep scanning, using something like Yakaz, where you can scan the entire country, & find another 5.2, then use both boats to make one. He may find another with bent beams, & use the ones he has, they will be ok. I have seen a couple of salvageable 5.2’s, with sails, (likely worn out but he doesn’t really care), for $400.
He is just putting around some smaller lakes, heck I’ve done that on boats held together with tape.
Edited by Edchris177 on Aug 13, 2019 - 01:23 PM.
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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 02:19 PM
understood - i have no ill will towards this person and wish i could offer help and support but every time i looked and read this - i felt someone needed to say something
I would love to be wrong and in a few years he has a great boat that he and his kids enjoy
but i'd be even happier to see him get a $300 sunfish for his kids, or anything else, or another cat and actually sail more, not learn theuglyunpleasant truths about working with epoxy (toxic, expensive, messy, not fun, a skill that takes time and practice, etc)
best of luck
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 03:12 PM
I agree with MN3. You have a few $100s in sell-able parts and two cool planters for the garden. Check facebook marketplace for lower prices on boats. I use to teach sailing on Percy Priest Lake. Boats come up every once in a while.
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FYC, Nacra 5.2 "Chris's Flyer" & Nacra Playcat & Farrier Tramp
Previously owned: Trac 14, H14, H16, H18, N5.0, G-cat 5.0
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 03:45 PM
I appreciate all the nay-saying. All opinions were invited and I'm not sure what the final result of this fools errand will be. I wouldn't have considered it if I didn't have a place for the boat and no particular hurry..but I also don't want a permanent boat junkyard while I'm waiting for the perfect deal on worn out sails :) I suppose I just like the idea of "something from nothing" and I have put value into many things by doing a little work at a time with the kids help. In the end the deciding factor will be the cost of resin & poly since that's upfront for any of this. Worst case: I helped clean up the lake and maybe i can make a few bucks parting it out.
We do have a little H14 so this isn't anything I need, it's just an idea for having fun with more people. The wind rarely gets over 15mph here nor are the lakes too wide so I'm not worried about drowning the kiddos if the patch fails. This is a casual adventure.
"Sunken treasure" was meant to be ironic. It wasn't so buried that the mast sticking up wasn't obvious and I'm sure others realized it was a loss before me. I did figure I was the only one in the state who would find it fun to drain it and tow it back on pool floats...you can't tell me that's not funny! -
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 06:05 PM
A big concern should be safety. That means recovering those hulls structurally not just watertight and make sure the standing rigging won’t fail, both the wires and a the parts inside the hulls and mast. All that may take some money. I recovered an old boat and don’t regret it, but I did dismast once on the water and when I sold it, for nothing, it needed serious work on the hulls again. -
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 06:15 PM
Another warning is that you will start loving it (no matter how ugly). And that’s where you will start burning money, on small stuff, not the big items. Your project will likely continue beyond your original target and you will want your Pinocchio to become human. Sorry for the honesty, I’m just sharing my experience. It all changed for me when I lost confidence on the boat. The learning and the fun was priceless though. -
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Posted: Aug 13, 2019 - 06:42 PM
You had me on board till you said ‘On a budget’
Epoxy, spare parts, multiple trips here and there and online ordering from multiple vendors, it sucks me dry so I’ve learned to get a boat in pretty sailable condition and make a few choice upgrades.
Good luck regardless, we all just want you on the water and safely -
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Posted: Aug 14, 2019 - 11:33 AM
"The sum of the parts is more than the whole." From what you said, one of those roto-molded Hobies would be your best bet. The larger one that is. Front tramp and no boards. They still make them. Lots of used ones and lots of parts available. Perfect with kids because of the front tramp.
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Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
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