Hi, i have a problem with my hull. The bridle pops almost out of the hull. There are a few cracks round the bridle in the hull. I dont sail now anymore because the construction is not strong enough anymore. My boat is build in 2004. I dont know how it is possible but it seems the construction of the bridle is very bad. Is there anybody who can give me advice how to repair this. I heard that there is an aluminium plate at the inside of the hull.That plate is laminated in the polyester. Some pictures will help me a lot.

This won't be much help, but...Yikes!

It is bad. But i dont think this is normal , the cat is just 5 years old!!! I have had lots of other (and older) catamarans. But never had this problem. I heard from clubmembers that this happens more to the Nacra F18. Maybe a constructionfault?

Didn't Performance offer a five year guarantee on this boat?

They do to the original owner. A BRAND NEW INFUSION had a bridal tang pull out on the first time out sailing. It pulled completely out and dropped the whole rig. Gotta love that cheap south of the border craftsmanship.

Senior, u hit de rcok, Hose' fix de boat si!

Have you spoken to Nacra? They will advise you.

the deck will need to be chiseled off and a repair made inside the hull

I called Nacra Europe, where i bought my boat 2 years ago, 3 times and they dont reply on my call. They simply dont call back... So a friend of my called Hobiecat Holland. And guess what: they call back, gave me very good tips and advice on how to repair the damaged bridle. I can even call them when i am doing the repair and i need some advice! That is very good service! So, i will not buy my next boat at Nacra Europe but at Hobiecat Holland. This weekend i start repairing the hull(s). I let you know how it is gone. Thanks for all reply's!

wow... thats crazy, i just don't understand poor customer service..

Did you forget to pay for the boat or something like that to upset them?

Does Nacra Europe manufacture boats? I know Nacra USA sends a lot of boats to Europe.
Buzz

Does Nacra Europe manufacture boats? I know Nacra USA ships a lot of boats to Europe.
Buzz

You will want to cut a hole in the hull on the side of the hull to make the repair from the inside then glue the hole back in place. Cut the hole on the side of hull that faces inward.

Another thing would be to put a port hole near the area to work through but I’m not sure if one would fit or if you could reach the area.

Make sure you use West System Epoxy don’t bother making repairs in polyester resins and bondo they will not last or be strong. Look at the plate to see if it corroded away. Once it is fixed and beefed up from the inside then you can repair the outside.

Make sure you sand and scuff the area really good and get it clean so the epoxy will stick. You will want to flip the hull so you are laying the glass on a flat horizontal area and not overhead.

Here is an example of the type of repair. I used some bondo as a filler and it swelled and popped, I ground it out and used West System epoxy with 410 powder it will take a little more sanding because it is harder but it will not absorb moisture.

http://themanshed.net/archived-projects/g-cat-catamaran/?g2_page=3

Mike,

This boat has deck plates over that area - so he can pop the deck plates out.

With regards to Bondo, I hear that all the time and I guess there is a difference in the way I use it. I fill the repair with fiberglass and resin and only use bondo for small minor filling.

+1 No problems so far.

Hey Jake,
I used Bondo for years but I don't any more. If you are working in polyester bondo is great. I've had it swell in older repairs and most likely only visible to the discerning eye. But until I go blind I always look at the side angle - bad habit.

I’m so happy with the West System that I’d never use Bondo again or do repairs in polyester.

Deck Plates are great they make repair work easy. I had problems with my Nacra 5.2 as it was fragile, and I must add abused and sailed very hard by a big man. It was the early years I went through a few deck plates, a bulkhead, and was holed by the heel of a hobie 16 sailor. It was the mid 70’s when hobies ruled and a new kid on the block - Vietnam era vet, with a new boat – radically different design blew the reigning salty dog away. The Nacra’s were bleeders, light, and wicked fast around the marks. I really loved that Nacra 5.2!

Once they knew I was not a flash in the pan I was told who holed my boat later in my first season and had the chance to blow by his stern flying a hull with my dagger board at de-cap level. He never saw me coming until I passed him. After the race on the shore he rushed me saying I could have hurt somebody acting all huffy to my 25 years younger and 6 month out of the military (not quite tame yet) I agreed with him smiled a evil grin and softly kick my boat where he had holed it earlier in the season. By the look on his face we had an immediate understanding and he fully understood my point - Very polite man after our understanding. Well that was my first boat repair job, totally uncalled for but look where it has lead. By the way I have never owned a hobie.

But this was the MidWest in the 70's and things were very home town, clickish, and there was a pecking order. I just didn't pay that game after being in the Navy SeaBees and had a role in making a change.

The stories are even better than the repair advice. I happen to have a 1978 5.2 out in the back yard that has been loved to death. Wish I had some later model firm hulls for it.

Bondo, I agree. The polyester part...not so sure bout that. I just hate wasting money on epoxy when it doesn't need to be epoxy. All polyester repair:






j

You don't need to convince me about the 5.2. I cut my teeth on a 1982 model.

I don't think they know too much about repairs, actually I am quite sure they send their repair jobs to Hobiecat.
From personal experience I know they have some very skilled people there.
You might also give a call to Ruud Goudriaan over at BNR Watersport, he is a helpful guy and also very good at any sort of repair.