I'm currently rebuilding a Nacra 5.5 which originally came without a bridle foil. For strength issues, etc. I am adding a foil. I ordered a foil through Murrays and although the thing is a piece of beauty, it seems awfully SHORT to me seeing that I have a 8.5' beam. This foil is only about 4.5' long which seems just not right. It is going to sit so high I'm not sure if the jib will work properly. Does anyone have a 5.5sl w/foil that could provide their foil length?

Next topic; This boat also does not have the 4-way jib system. From experience do people think the 4-way system is the way to go? As I plan to eventually run a spinnaker on this I've thought about switching to a self tacking system which would then necessitate a smaller jib. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
John

The foil is pretty small in comparision with other boats
My forestay was shortened 5" inches by previous owner so
a furler could be installed - It does make gybing with the spinnaker a pain sometimes as it wants to catch on the bridle foil





Patrick ragens website shows some good pictures

http://home.comcast.net/~ragenpl/nacra/nacra.htm

also you can get the assembly manual here

http://www.cathouse1.com/nacraarchive.htm

I can measure the foil this weekend for you

Hope this helps

Gordon

Hi John... funny to see this post... i just came from Stu's and saw your foil...

to comment on 4way... when i purchased my Mystere from Parker i was excited to have new adjustable features (4way and barber hauler)...but now HATE the clutter of lines all over my boat. i replaced the metal wire that ran across my tramp with some vectran line but it still is very uncomfortable when i am forward on my tramp.

If you plan to go spin (i love my spin) i personally would hold off on a 4way. Even though i use my 4way often, and know it is valuable, i am thinking about removing it from my boat to reduce the clutter...

Gordon,
Thanks for the link to Ragen's website. I had the direct link to the spinnaker set up but did not know all the other info was there. I will definitely use some of his ideas on my boat. I had heard of mounting the jib blocks to the tramp from someone else but it is good to see pictures of it. Thanks for measuring your foil. While you're there if you could measure the bridle length too I would appreciate it. BTW, where did you get your sails? I really like the way they look on the boat and mine are going to need replacing soon.

Andrew, thanks for the input. I probably will not go with the 4 way as you are not the only one who has pointed out the wire issue. My boat came with a big roller furling genniker but I plan to go to a mid-pole spin as soon as I can afford one. The boat is quickly working through my budgeted funds so some things will have to wait!

I dont know your level of exp with spins/genniker but i would def play with the furling genniker if you have it already (till it shreds)... they are an awesome addition and the ability to furl it away quickly is very sweet. i can not tell you how frustrating it was to work out the kinks in dousing my spins and learn how to sail it.

can i ask why you want to go for a mid pole vs an end pole setup? i think with a foil... and in general i would go for a end pole version. for me i find it is good to have the basket/spin halyard far from the forestay to keep them from tangling in each other. esp if you have a furling jib. feel free to PM me if you have any other questions or would like to demo a 4way or spin setup. i am at the causeway almost every weekend.

John,

I purchased the new sails this year from whirlwind sails
Chip is a great guy and will work with you to make sure
the product is what you want.

http://www.whirlwindsails.com/

I'll get the measurements your after this weekend and post them late sunday or monday morning

Have a good weekend.

John,
Concerning the 4-way jib setup. Yes, that cross-wire is a bringer of pain. However, it is unlikely that your fixed position eyestrap is in the right place. It is very dependent on the cut and condition of the jib. The fore-aft setting is pretty constant based on foot length and clew angle. You keep the foot and leach balanced which doesn't change much day to day.

However, the in-out DOES vary with sailing conditions and the belly on your jib. My basic rule is that if the jib luffs before the main, bring the jib blocks inboard some more. The hull-mounted jib blocks are usually WAY too far out and the jib flogs too early going to weather. On a medium day you'll want to have the jib blocks traveled in quite a bit. In bigger air, especially solo, you'll travel out a bit on the main and you'll have to do the same with the jib. When I had one, I used the 4-way in-out every sailing day, although only changing it once or twice a day. You're too busy solo, anyway.

The condition of the jib can wipe out all of the benefit. If you bring the blocks inboard with a 4-way setup you may find that a fat-belly jib will backwind the main no matter how much you haul in on the sheet. If it's a flat jib the slot works great when the jib is far inboard, balanced with the main, and you'll point high with speed. My Mystere 5.0XL had a new flat jib and I ran the jib blocks in until they hit the hiking strap. Unfortunately, my current Nacra 5.0 has both bad situations, an old full jib and the blocks are fixed out on the hull. The jib luffs early and yet still grossly backwinds the main going to weather, actually denting it. My fix will be getting a new flat jib and building a temporary in-out system to find the best location for the block, then reinforcing the tramp somehow to mount it in one spot. The early Taipans used a set of grommets with a line woven through them to allow you to re-hook the jib blocks to new locations as needed without the painful cross-tramp wire. However, you need to know where to put those grommets. I'll try to post a photo of the Taipan tramp. I'm working toward that setup as a cheap yet adjustable solution.

Giving up the jib altogether and using a spin is one alternative. No foil, no furler, cleaner deck, etc....

It's always something.

John,

Went out yesterday and got your measurements
The bridle wires on each side are approx 18 1/4 inches long.
our foil is 4 and a half feet long just like the one you
purchased from murrays - Hope this helps you

sorry used the cellphone so pictures are not the best!

Gordon,

On your roller furler set up, does the furler mount into the fore or aft hole on the foil. We have initially set it up using the aft hole but I just wanted to see how yours is rigged. Also, is there anyway you can take a good picture as to how the tack end of the jib mounts to the furler? In Ragen's picts it is hard to see exactly how this is done.

Thanks again for all of your help!

John

John,

We are going out for a new years day sail on the big boat
tomorrow - so I'll get pictures then. Hope you have a great new year!!!

Gordon

Thanks Gordon.

We've got our annual Hangover Regatta tomorrow morning so I'll be sailing too, albeit on my trusty H16 and not the 5.5.

Have a great New Year!

John

John,

There is only one Hole on our foil - so on ours it would be the aft hole. Looked at a couple of 5.8's in the lot and one has the two hole setup, The other just had one must have been a upgrade in newer years - manual doesn't help either.

as far as the jib set-up goes maybe this picture will help
If not I'll try and answer any questions you have.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o71/ghhm43/jibattachment3.jpg

Gordon,
Thanks for the info and pict. I'm currently having the leading edge of the jib shortened by 3" to allow for more rake adjustment. When that comes back I'll play around and see if I can duplicate the 3:1 system shown on your boat. More to come...
J