Hey guys im 18 and from northern california. last winter a friend's family and mine went to the caribbean where we taught ourselves to sail on Lasers. When I got back in January i bought a used laser and sailed alone for months. My friend got a hobie 16 and i went out on it and loved the speed. i recently sold my laser and was in the market for a hobie. My friend told me to look for a nacra and i found a 1976 5.2 for $650 in pretty good shape. I'm working at a bike park in Lake tahoe this summer and havn't sailed it. with that being said, what will be the main differences between sailing that and a h16? will it be too much to handle for a new cat sailor?...and finally, does anyone have a mast ball for this boat? the seller said i will needa new one before sailing it.
Thanks

What size of mast ball? The old 1.25" or the new 1.5"?

If it is a '76 model and it was never upgraded you have the 1.25" ball. The easy way to check is to see if there is a retaining pin, if you have one, it's a new 1.5" ball, if you don't it's the 1.25". The problem is that the 1.25" ball is no longer manufactured, you will have to upgrade the whole mast base: an upgrade kit is available from Nacra to retrofit old boats and include everything you need (casting, base, pin, ball...)

You may want to look at this thread where I went through the same problem: Tami suggested some other alternatives. Or I can send you Tami's well used balls as soon as I install the new setup on my boat (probably this week-end).

there are several differences in the 2 boats but both should suit you well...

the hobies have curved hulls and handle surf very well...
I THINK the 5.2 doesn't have curved hulls but i dont know about its ability to sail through surf/waves

i have heard (never sailed one) the 5.2 is heavier, and the mast in much heavier (harder to step)...

since there are so many hobie's there are usually more parts available (or at least easier to find)

<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> C'mon people. What is this forum turning into? Some of us skim this while we're "working" <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Just kidding. Obviously it's Friday and the week is about done. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The nacra does not have curved hulls.

Converting the mast base is an easy remove and replace part but youll need to get a blind rivet tool ( TO-GH-39031). You should have this anyway as it could mean the difference between an easy 1 hour repair and back to sailing, or going home. Remember to use silicone liberaly to prevent the mast from leaking.

Ive had the H16 and now the nacra 5.2 and there are differences obviously. The 5.2 is more boat and is more technical (I haved tons of questions) but both are a blast.

I recommend joining a fleet in your area that sails similar boats and crew for awhile and or skipper your own boat!
Stay safe

its the 1.25" ball, any one have one?
so the boat wont be too much to handle? waiting for a friend to get back into town and rig it up

Well my plan was to install the upgrade kit this week-end, which would have liberated the old 1.25" ball. Turns out it rained all day saturday and most of the day sunday so I gave up. So I'm afraid the usable 1.25" inch ball sitting under my mast is going to stay there until at least mid september (I'm going on vacation soon)

Here is an original sales brochure for your boat from 1977. Found it in my files. Thought you might find it interesting. Click on the photo link below.

Thanks for the scans,
they go nicely with my old 5.2!
Wish mine was actually that light... Too many repairs I guess...

Dennis

wow thanks for the old pics Don

will print a couple off for the wall of the cabin

i'm guessing that those other nacras with the alpha sail markings in the 2nd pic are the 18foot alpha cats that tom rolland was making before the 5.2

does the line drawing on the last pic show cascading blocks on the boom or an alternate block position?

and to answer the original question

the nacra 5.2 is a bit more race than the hobie 16, lots more ways to tweak the sails for the last bit of speed and the big daggers means it will go upwind lots better than a hobie

as i sail on a smallish deep lake with an island pointing ability is GOOD and big daggers not a problem. even the weight isn't an issue as i can leave the boat on the beach for most of the year

generally for solo sailing though i pretty much leave everything at it's middle setting as there is too much running around to do changing all 6? settings every change from upwind to downwind

i haven't sailed a hobie but have found the 5.2 a very stable platform for solo trapezing, very forgiving on where you can have your feet and gives lots of warning about leeward hull getting too low in the water, like in the 3rd pic

for a surf beach a board less boat like a hobie would be much easier

Fond memories!!! Perfect boat to begin but also improve with. Sold mine only in order to race single handed and fly a spin; otherwise I would still have her. Only so many cats allowed in the yard.

Be sure to inspect the side stay tangs. My only mishap was having the wire pull through the tang eye.

Kris
F-16

Best of luck with the new/used 5.2. I bought a 1978 5.2 this saturday. I also have the older 1 1/4" ball, noncaptive mast base. I will be setting it up the first time sometime this week.
I live in Modesto now, but used to live in Chico and Paradise. Thermolito should be a fun place to sail for you.
Enjoy,
Dave