Has anyone sailed both of these that can give a good opinion. I'm leaning towards the 460 due to my light weight and even lighter budget, but man, that 500 with spinnaker kit looks sweet!

Yep, been wondering the same thing.

Nacra seems to be sadly, sadly lacking in advertising their specs on various boats. Weight/crew size, tramp size.

Irks me to get this kind of response in response to a legitimate question: It's just a dang ______, waddaya want?

Fill in the blank. "It's just a dang sail, waddaya want?"

"It's just a dang weight of crew, waddaya want?"

To which I want to say, "It's just dang money, you ain't getting much, are you?"

you must mean Nacra 450..
I downloaded the complete manual (pdf) for the 450,500,570
and Blast complete with weight limits..mast stepping..sail rigging..right from the Nacra site..(they must still exist,but I have'nt been there in a while)..for even more info contact the Cathouse in Mi
google it

The 450 is a very small boat--what will your crew weight be? (The web site has a typo--it really is the 450; see http://nacra.us/450/45index.html)

For average size adults the 500 is more versatile and appealing, but if your total crew weight is 100-130 lbs the 450 might be better.

The Nacra 460 is the update version of the 450
http://www.nacraeurope.com/product.php?product_id=3

here's all the models
http://www.nacraeurope.com/products.php?pt=cat&PHPSESSID=a1502d5b2258c4e933750c37f110dcf4

ahh I see <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> looks very nice
new style beams..clear main.grippy nacra emblem on
hulls..I need one!

What if your crew weight is around 350 - 370? Which Nacra size is better?

I weigh 150-160 pounds. I will sail with my kids a lot but will also spend quite a bit of time solo. I'm leaning more towards the 500 the more I read about the two models (460 and 500). Unfortunately, I have just been placed back in the market for a new family truckster van, so my plans to buy a new 500 have been delayed. I guess you could say that my priorities are askew. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

After having sent an email request to Performance Cat, I have gotten no reply. The Performance Cat site in US has bare bones on specs with an email link if you want more information, which is what I did.

The Europe site I was not aware of, so thanks for that link.

The 460 IS a solo boat, but for an owner who wants to take a crew of, say, three of the I-want-to-sail-but-do-we-have-get-wet type, will it sail with enough vigor or just float in the water like a overloaded raft?

The 500 will more closely fit that bill, but it appears to be more boat than a solo sailor who gets to escape from work only half a day or once a weekend a month would want?

Arrrrgh.

Tramp size, sail size, hulls with right flotation capacity? I realize neither are a racing machines!

Of course, I know, it's unavoidable to get soaked when sailing. Could you agree that recreational sailing gets soaked to a lesser degree than those who race or who like to fly a hull?

Send me a pm with your email address and I can send you more info. I think I would go for the 500. It would give you more flexibility if you wanted to sail with other people later on.

500 for sure
also we just recreational sail my 450 with 2 adults all the time
once we had 3 on it..you get very wet but have alot of fun
when we had 3 on it we stood her up on her nose couple of times but she bob's up and out like a cork..the sails fill and off we go again..2 or 3 on a 450 is not advisable..the 500 will fit you better.
also you can add all the options you want to a boat but it's pretty tough to add a couple of feet.
you can also sail with just the main if you want when you're solo
Carl

Know where a sweet 5.2 (looks new) is in Texas for $3000 (think he will negotiate)? If you are interested PM me.

Doug

Kirk has been very responsive to my questions at keysailing.com .

Good, trustworthy guy. I have dealt with him in the past. You don't have to be a rock star to have him talk to you either.

I weigh about 160 and sail my Nacra 5.0 which is the same as a 500 solo very often. I haven't done it yet but its supposed to sail well uni too.

We are probably about the same size. Have you righted it solo yet? Do you carry a bag?
-Rob

When I had my 5.0, I could right it alone if there was a breeze but could not if the wind was light.

You are definately too heavy for the 460, especially if you're taking along some kids. Go with the 500.

Another option beside the 500 is a used 5.0--excellent performance and value.

I haven't done it solo yet, but carrying a bag would be a good idea.

I can't seem to find any used ones around. I guess that is a testament to their fun factor.
-Rob