I've just switched from monohull sailing to a Nacra 5.2 and it got me curious about that model catamaran. Does anyone out there know it's history - when it first came out and more importantly, why did they stop making it? Was it just overtaken by time, or did some problem show up after use? I will be racing it Portsmouth on an inland lake( I know - ugh)and short of the "go only if the wind is over 15" concept, are there any hints from the racers that I might want to know? With me we now have a total of two catamaran sailors in our club, so getting this kind of basic info is hard to do. The oziginal owner of the Nacra wants to go crew with me, but since he is now 83 I think he might not be the helper I need. Let me know what you think would be helpful to me in my learning how to get my 5.2 to perform.

Dick C
Nacra 5.2 - 3002 - "Cats Paw"

I sail a 5.2 I'm not too well versed on the history, but it seems to have just been replaced by newer designs(www.performancecat.com) I can tell you though, that with a crew, this boat loves 15 knt breezes, i'm kinda heavy(195) so I almost always single the boat. I hear in the midwest there are still 5.2 fleets. I know that the only thing that beats me here are bigger nacras(ie.. my freinds 6.0) This boat tacks easily through the wind, its heavy enough to have enough momentum. I wish you all the fun that I've had with mine. If you have specific questions or need riggin tips or pics let me know. jfint@calpoly.edu www.calpoly.edu/~jfint

Josh - thanks for the note. I've a long time in monohulls but this 5.2 is my first ever cat. I'm almost always going to be single handing it, and weigh in the upper 160's most of the time. I'll be inland lake racing it every weekend, and summertime winds gust on a good day all the way up to 3 or 4, but come Sep we get 12 to 15 about every week or two, and that should be a blast.

I know the original owner of the boat. He got it new in 1985 when he was 63 years old and single handed for over 10 years (yes 74!) when he decided to retire. He is now 83 and waiting for me to get the boat fixed up so he can come crew again! Tell me that won't be a hoot - a 83 year old retired WWII French fighter pilot crewing on a 5.2!!

I'll be gone for the next 30 days but will get back with you and look for pics and maybe some info then. Thanks for the reply.

Dick

Great, drop me an emial when you get back. jfint@calpoly.edu