Andrew, you went 20 mph with 550 lb on board? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> that's incredible. one other thing - why do you spell it with the letter "O" and not the number "0"?

thanks for the invaluable input Wouter, you really just about hit every nail on the head. After your testimonial, I can't see how I could choose a Hobie over a Nacra. I have decided to go with the Nacra 5.0 for the many reasons you mentioned. A few of the things I really like about the Nacra are the boomless main, which means less rigging time and more sailing, and not having to worry as much about an accidental jibe; hull shape, which, from what I hear, is better for surfing and sailing through the medium-sized wake of the florida east coast ocean, which the Hobie has at least a slightly higher chance of pitchpoling in; the lower tramp, which is more comfortable on the butt when i'm not trapping; and a few other things that aren't popping into my head.

I'm still concerned about one thing though, and that's spare parts. What websites have replacement parts for a Nacra 5.0? I might want to replace the standing and/or running rigging after I get this boat. I can't use craigslist for EVERYTHING now... c-list is dandy for hobie stuff, but not so for nacra parts.