where did you find your leaks?

I found the leaks on the from fittings where the bridle (foil) attahces. Makes sense. Everytime you bury a bow at speed. there is pressure that just forces the water in. There was another under the lip inside the daggerboard well. Same thing. Easy fix.

Don

Using a similar method for pressurizing the hull, I found leaks around the rivets that hold the 4-way jib track to the hull.

I also pressurize my mast (through the holes that the rotator mounts through) and check for leaks each spring.

the first place my mast leaked was that rotator connection.

Speaking of Mast rotators, the guy (not carl) who sold me the boat said not to worry about it, I would not need to use it until I got more experienced. Is this true? Should it be rigged at all to prevent any type of over-rotation?

Also, I noticed in the newer Nacra owners manual it says to take the mast step pin out after the mast was stepped - is this advisable?

-Brandon
N5.5u #424
Austin, TX

Yes and Yes

Make sure you don't over-rotate and yes take the pin out.

I have firsthand experience of what happens when your mast comes tumbling down and you left the pin in the base.

Not pretty.

The 5.5u like many boomless Nacras uses a forced rotation system. Rotation takes care of itself most of the time; you would force rotation to maximize sail area downwind in a racing situation, and sometimes upwind in very light air. For cruising, I agree...don't mess with it. As for pulling the pin: Do pull it, but carry it on the boat. Some of the most experienced Nacra sailors I know keep it attached to an eyestrap rivetted to the main beam near the mast step.

good luck w/a great boat

Thanks folks, the pin will come out next time!