Well the first weekend out was amazing. I rigged it 1:1 for the first day which had light air but the wind picked up yesterday. I rigged some cheap pulleys to make it 3:1 which worked fine but then the wind gusted for a minute and we took off at warp speed. Everything held up but I can see the need for good quality rigging in high wind. I think I need to align my rudders better. Is there a lot of pull on the tiller when headed upwind? My tiller crossbar is a piece of galvanized pipe that was put on at some point in the past. I'm gonna replace it with aluminum and try to tweak the alignment when I install it. Other than that it was a blast. I'm in Tennessee and when we were blasting past those pontoon boats I swear their mouths were hanging open. I put in near the yacht club and smoked the whole fleet that was out. Like... really smoked. It was incredible.
Sounds like you're hooked!
The pull on your tiller is most likely a function of the relationship between mast rake and rudder rake, not rudder alignment. The easiest way to adjust your rudder rake (think moving the bottom edge of rudder fore or aft), is to add shims to the gudgeons on the transom. The more labor intensive method is to fill and re-drill the mounting holes in your rudders to get the desired rake. Ideally, you want the boat to turn slightly into the wind when you let go of the tiller so that it doesn't run away from you if you fall off. If you google "weather helm" there are several good articles explaining adjustments to get it where you want.
if i remember you need a well raked mast on a 5.0. forget how much but certainly not vertical. fix via mast rake and fine tune with rudder rake adjustments.
there is (or was) an ajustment screw (nylon) on the rudder housing. i did not find them much use. That is how the rudder should be adjusted. Rake your mast back. Rake it back not so much if you are not using te jib.
See this thread. Good info and I don't have to re type.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/index.php?module=forums&func=viewtopic&topic=11545
Ron Beliech
Nacra F-18
Brandon, MS
My tiller crossbar is a piece of galvanized pipe that was put on at some point in the past. I'm gonna replace it with aluminum and try to tweak the alignment when I install it.
It might be tough to get things lined up exactly using tube stock. If you can find a used tie bar, with the adjustable end, life will be easier. Or utilize ball/rod ends.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#eyebolts/=wqozsd
FWIW I rake the 5.0 mast quite a bit, with the rudder blades allowed to go right back til they hit the casting
This ad is old, but he might have everything you need.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/classifieds/catamarans-for-sale/p13671-1981-nacra-5-2-with-trailer-in-tulsa-2c-ok.html
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
Ok, I think a big problem is that I didn't focus on getting the rudders far down. We launched from a super busy fishing ramp so I got out of the way quick and came and went from a shallow beach so I didn't keep the rudders down tight. I'll be sure to do that. This thing was so easy to manage in shallow water that we are thinking about trailering it to FL for some beach camping. We would have our pick of a lot of remote areas that are really only kayak accessible. As far as mast rake, mine is back. How tight should the shrouds be? We sat for a minute when the wind died and a bigger power boat came by and we started seesawing and the mast was banging around a bit. I didn't want to stress the mast by overtightening but I might have done the opposite. It definitely didn't sound good slamming around.
For your tiller, go to murrays sports website.
Part #s 56-0149, 56-0150, 56-5508. These should be the correct parts for your adjustable crossbar connection.have you gotten a main block set yet?
Your shrouds (side stays) should be tight enough that your mast dosnt flop around due to slack standing rigging. Have your sailing partner grab a trapeze handle and pull back and to the side at about a 45* angle to the boat while you attach the shroud (on the same side) to the shroud adjuster.Loose enough that you can grab the base of the mast and rotate it 90*- 110*. The mast will rotate freely and may rotate (flop) back and forth when waves or wake hits the boat. Pull it up on shore a bit more and it should put an end that. While under way your lee shroud will go slack. That's normal.
i forgot about the shroud thing. dealer (and racer) told me and another guy to prebend the mast for racing by tightening them. do worry about tightening too much. the worst that can happen is what happened to my buddy because the dealer pulled on the trap wire too. it was so tight that he could not get the clevis pin out the next day when he was trying to pack up and get home. so only one guy pulling on the trap wire π