Nacra 5.5 main halyard questions :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

Welcome anonymous guest

Please Support
TheBeachcats.com

Nacra 5.5 main halyard questions

johnthirsty

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 03, 2023

Last visit: Jul 10, 2023

Posts: 3
Posted: Jul 03, 2023 - 02:42 PM

Hello,

I recently got a Nacra 5.5. It was missing the main halyard when I got it. It has a hook at the top of the mast, and I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations on which of the halyard rings sold by Murray's would work best with the Nacra 5.5. I'm planning to use about 60 feet of 3/16 rope for the halyard instead of the rope/wire halyard that I believe was original. Are there any other parts needed or issues with using an all rope halyard?

Thanks for any help.
shortyfox

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 07, 2017

Last visit: Nov 21, 2024

Posts: 367
Posted: Jul 03, 2023 - 03:51 PM

I had trouble releasing the halyard on my Nacra. I finally figured out that the ring it came with was too large and even rotating the mast as far as I was physically able, the ring still sometimes wouldn't clear the hook. I got a smaller ring (one with the eye proved unnecessary) and problem solved. Don't forget you're going to need a twist shackle to attach the ring to the mast head.

--
Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
--
Andinista

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 18, 2003

Last visit: Dec 13, 2023

Posts: 880
Posted: Jul 04, 2023 - 09:09 AM

The one with integrated shackle is better in my experience, it rotates more consistently. This one works well for me, you just have to remember which which side is the hook, it’s where the bigger section of the ring should go.
https://www.murrays.com/product/01-4216/
I guess the aussie ring - the symetrical one- will work fine too. The way you tie it is important, because it gives the ring a different angle of attach to catch the hook. You may use a stopper knot pointing forward or aft, or as in my case a bowline which will keep it vertical. Stopper knot is more common, i don’t remember which side.

Edited by Andinista on Jul 04, 2023 - 09:12 AM.
johnthirsty

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 03, 2023

Last visit: Jul 10, 2023

Posts: 3
Posted: Jul 04, 2023 - 02:13 PM

Thanks for the replies. So if i use the ring that Andinista linked to is it correct that I do not need an additional twist shackle.
shortyfox

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 07, 2017

Last visit: Nov 21, 2024

Posts: 367
Posted: Jul 04, 2023 - 02:42 PM

Yes, that's probably best. If you already have the parts and wanted to cheap out, use just the ring and two "D" shackles will get you there. Like I said, the diameter of the ring will have a lot to do with the ease of getting the ring away from the hook when you rotate the mast. When tying onto the ring you want the shortest knot possible. If that's an issue, try one half hitch around the ring and use a stop knot (not a figure eight) on the very end.

--
Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
--
texastuma

Rank: Mate

Registered: Nov 22, 2012

Last visit: Nov 20, 2024

Posts: 410
Posted: Jul 05, 2023 - 05:05 PM

johnthirstyHello,

I recently got a Nacra 5.5. It was missing the main halyard when I got it. It has a hook at the top of the mast, and I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations on which of the halyard rings sold by Murray's would work best with the Nacra 5.5. I'm planning to use about 60 feet of 3/16 rope for the halyard instead of the rope/wire halyard that I believe was original. Are there any other parts needed or issues with using an all rope halyard?

Thanks for any help.

This will be the most frustrating thing in the world. Depending on how they mounted the hook will determine which ring works best. I have never used the one mentioned previously, but of the 4-5 halyard rings I have, I prefer the "Aussie Ring" https://www.murrays.com/product/07-3064/. And, how you tie the halyard dictates how it hooks. This is something you have to experiment with. On the Tornado, I have 1/4" double braid and spliced it onto the loop. On the modified 18-2, I have a 3/16" XLS tied with a bowline. My P19 liked to have a knot facing aft. I know some boats like the knot facing forward. Where the main halyard grommet is will also dictate how it attached. I would recommend hoisting the main. Flipping the boat over and then spend about 30-45 minutes trying different rings and/or different attachments. If the knot has a particular way of going, write that on the mast so you or your crew remembers. Nothing like hoisting the main 4-5 times to only realize the knot was the wrong way.

Before you start raising the main, clean the sail track of the mast real well first and then spray SailKote of something similar. Also, as sails age, the bolt rope shrinks. You'll see a lot of wrinkles at the bottom of the bolt rope with some hand stitching holding it in place. Cut the stitching loose. The bolt rope will suck inside the luff tape probably 4-6" (depending on age). This will give the sail a "face lift" and get rid of the wrinkles.

I would also add a block under the mast for the main halyard redirection. The older boats have the halyard running outside an exit where you have to pull down to raise the main. With the bottom block, you can stand at the aft beam or even sit on the trampoline to raise the main.

--
Scott

Prindle Fleet 2
TCDYC

Prindle 18-2 Mod "FrankenKitty"
Tornado Classic "Fast Furniture"
Prindle 19 "Mr. Wiggly"
Nacra 5.8 "De ja vu"
Nacra 5.0
Nacra 5.8
Tornadoes (Reg White)
--
Andinista

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 18, 2003

Last visit: Dec 13, 2023

Posts: 880
Posted: Jul 06, 2023 - 09:21 AM

About the halyard, you don’t need the rope/wire type, that’s a different system with a lock at the front of the mast. Get a decent line, a cheap one will stretch and make things much harder, especially pulling to release the ring and lower the sail. Even worse when you do that on the water, not common but you might find yourslef in that situation. i use a dyneema halyard, not ideal because it’s slippery, but got it at a good price. I wear gloves and use an easy rig tool on the last part, it helps a lot and protects yogur hands.
geepaks

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 05, 2018

Last visit: Jul 06, 2023

Posts: 63
Posted: Jul 06, 2023 - 10:29 AM

You can find 5.5 Nacra assembly manuals on line.
I had a 5.5 for a long time. Ring with separate twisted shackle worked best. Just like the manual shows.
https://www.nacrasailing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/nacra-vintage-assembly-manual.pdf
shortyfox

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 07, 2017

Last visit: Nov 21, 2024

Posts: 367
Posted: Jul 06, 2023 - 11:39 AM

Quote i use a dyneema halyard, not ideal because it’s slippery

I would not use dyneema because of the poor knot retention. Remember all the downhaul load will be on the hook, ring and twist shackle. The mast rotating back and forth could loosen a dyneema knot that has no static load on it. If you still insist on using it, tie it off in a way that leaves some tension on it.

--
Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
--
Andinista

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 18, 2003

Last visit: Dec 13, 2023

Posts: 880
Posted: Jul 06, 2023 - 02:56 PM

I agarre with that, now that you mention it, i think i actually have a splice rather than a bowline, that works.
johnthirsty

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 03, 2023

Last visit: Jul 10, 2023

Posts: 3
Posted: Jul 10, 2023 - 01:06 PM

Thanks for everyone's replies. I got the Murray's main halyard ring, and I got the mast up and have the boat at my local sailing club. I am slowly figuring out how everything is rigged. I was going to sail it this weekend, but the wind was a bit stronger than I felt comfortable with for a boat that I'm unfamiliar with. I appreciate all of the suggestions, and I will do some experimenting to see what works bet.
revintage

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 13, 2017

Last visit: Aug 22, 2024

Posts: 281
Posted: Jul 12, 2023 - 06:52 AM

QuoteI would not use dyneema because of the poor knot retention. Remember all the downhaul load will be on the hook, ring and twist shackle. The mast rotating back and forth could loosen a dyneema knot that has no static load on it. If you still insist on using it, tie it off in a way that leaves some tension on it.

If the knot fails or losens, you have used the wrong knot. Google for the right one for Dyneema. But the cost is not justifiable for a halyard.

--
Brgds
Lars

Frankentri 5.8/5.5/Inter20
Aerow trimaran foiler

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1192604934176635
--
Andinista

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 18, 2003

Last visit: Dec 13, 2023

Posts: 880
Posted: Jul 12, 2023 - 10:08 AM

QuoteBut the cost is not justifiable for a halyard.

Aliexpress, 20 USD shipped to Chile. (just be patient)
https://es.aliexpress.com…pFy&gatewayAdapt=glo2esp

4mm x 20m UHMWPE winch rope

Not sure if it works in the US.
Andinista

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 18, 2003

Last visit: Dec 13, 2023

Posts: 880
Posted: Jul 12, 2023 - 10:38 AM

You might as well use one to replace the winch wire or strap.

Edited by Andinista on Jul 12, 2023 - 10:39 AM.
Andinista

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 18, 2003

Last visit: Dec 13, 2023

Posts: 880
Posted: Jul 12, 2023 - 10:39 AM

..

Edited by Andinista on Jul 12, 2023 - 10:40 AM.
revintage

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 13, 2017

Last visit: Aug 22, 2024

Posts: 281
Posted: Jul 12, 2023 - 04:00 PM

QuoteAliexpress, 20 USD shipped to Chile. (just be patient)

Did of course mean "not justifiable" when buying at normal price.

Great price, bought 46m 4mm Teufelberger at even lower price when a shop nearby sold factory leftovers.

Edited by revintage on Jul 12, 2023 - 04:02 PM.

--
Brgds
Lars

Frankentri 5.8/5.5/Inter20
Aerow trimaran foiler

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1192604934176635
--