The Nacra 18-square is 18 feet long. It has the same hulls as the Nacra 5.5 -- just wider beam.

It is impossible to imagine that it has 324 square feet of sail in main alone -- almost 90 sq. ft. more than the original Tornado that had main and jib. So I'm not buying the idea that 18-square refers to the sail area.

Somebody had a great evening leading you on the believe that the 18 sq. had 324 sq.ft of sail area !

It truly is 18 sq. mtr. see http://www.watersportverbond.nl/data/5Z2_numdet1_3-7-2006.pdf

Look for nacra 18m2, the m2 stands for meters-squared.

The nacra 16 square is just above it under the name nacra 16vm, vm here stands for "vierkante meter" which in Dutch means "squared meters"

Interestingly enough the true sail area is a little less then 16 sq. mtr. but then again the hulls are longer then 16 feet either. Halve the time I don't understand what Nacra is doing with their models.

But anyway the 18sq truly refers to the mainsail area.

Wouter

1 square meter is 10.76 square feet, so 18 square meters is only about 194 square feet.

It was on this thread, and then it was said that the 16ft square refers to sail area, just as for the 18 square. Nothing was said about meters.

Sorry if I am being a dumb blonde again. However, this is the first time I have ever heard that 18-square refers to the sail area. I thought it referred to its length and the fact that it is so WIDE.

So, are you saying that if the sail area is 18 square meters, ANY boat can be an 18-square, regardless of the length and width of the boat? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Yes and besides the 16 square they also produced an 18 square (no longer in production) and a 14 square. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

As I understand it the correct title is 16 sq which refers to the sail size in meters.
Here are the boat specs.
Length 5.0m
Beam 2.5m
Sail Area 16 sq m
Weight 130kg
Designer Ross Guinea

However it has also been unofficially referred to as 16ft sq the ft most likely refers to the length in this case, but I can't be certain.

The 14 sq specs

Length 4.5m
Beam 2.44m
Sail Area 14 sq m
Weight 105kg
Designer Ross Guinea

The SL-16 is a youth Multihull. It will be used in the US SAILING Youth Multihull Champ. in CA this Spring, and the ISAF Youth Multihull World Champ next year.

Caleb Tarleton, US SAILING Youth Multihull Champ. Comm.

I have a 14 squared and it is over fourteen feet and does indeed have 14 suare metres of sail. It is a great little one sail boat but nothing like as race tuned as the Taipan 4.9 which I also have.
The 14sq is a boomless rig and very simple to sail. The inhaul and downhaul are used to resist rotation and there is a positive rotation device for running.
The mast essentially finds its own place. Not as easy to tack as the Taipan or a jib run boat. The 16 square is a very similar boat to look at but has 16 square metres of sail and is 16 feet long and the sailors say it has more boyancy up front. It would suit the weight of the chap who asked the question and deliver a great ride.
These Nacaras are true beach boats and excellent recreacion, tough and fast.
I believe they can be beefed up with the Nacra foil and hooter.

Length is controlled, not to exceed 18 ft. Width is not controlled. Back in the 80's, they had a Cat. II that was also limited by mast circumference (20" max.) and weight (not less than 330 lbs.). Very open rules for this class of cat!

viva 27. its alot of work to run the head sails tho

Hi John, give Pat hugs and hello from Jay and tami...

You know we have 18 Squares, and would sure love to see you get one. So would Andrew Tatton. It'll sure be a good boat for your weight. You can duke it out with Tatton, and when here, you can duke it with us...

But why is the Acat out? I thought there was a fella there Houston way who was something over 6 ft and 250lb racing an A, aw, what was his name... anyway, you can choose a rig that will complement your size.... talk to Ogletree...

Like I say, I'd sure love to see you get a Square.

Square data from a two-Square owner:
18 Square refers to sail area, which is something like 194 sq ft, eg 18 Square Meters.

Max hull length is 18 ft/5.5metres. No max beam. If your boat allup weight is less than 330lb, you're Category I. 330 or more, you're Cat II. And that's just about it for class rules, the 18 Square is a development class. Y'all might remember WILD TURKEY, the solid-wing 18 Square...

There is a webpage for the 18 Square
http://www.geocities.com/mec_coleman/18square.htm

Class rules, data, pix, all there.

Sometimes it's fun to play with yourself. Fly 18sq.

Tami:

Yea there is a guy racing out of HYC at 250 that they say is deadly. Bob Hodges may know his name. They have told me with A it it just time on the boat and you can have mast and sail cut to your weight. I hope to sell H17 some day and get an A. I would not let weight keep him from getting a n A.

Doug

Go to the Isotope website. You will see me sailing the shark profile boat. I weigh 230 at 6'5". You will also see me and crew at 220lbs flying hull. Even sailing as a big boy the boat doesn't create a wake, meaning it can take the weight without disturbing the draft profile. We always race single handed.

J.P.Ayers
186

Go ahead guys let me have it.

Link to the web site?