Coming from a background of almost solely sailing a Hobie 16 I was wondering if weight distribution on the 5.0 was similar? I have been sailing like it was a Hobie 16 as far as weight distribution and it seems to be working.
I have sailed the boat twice now, once with crew and once solo and in no more than 10mph winds. I like the boat and the way it handles. One thing that is going to take some getting used to is where the jib blocks are attached. For some reason every time I tack I end up on top of the block, kinda makes it hard to uncleat, lol. Other than that I am really enjoying it. I really like not having to worry so much about submarining the hull.
Sail on....
When going upwind, don't be afraid to sink the lee hull. Get your weight forward, if that lee bow does not get pushed into the water, you lose pointing ability. It's not a 16, it won't pitchpole.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
Oh it will pitch-pole if you push it too hard nowhere near as easy as a 16 though.Had my 5.8 lee hull almost to the crossbar a couple of times
You can certainly bury the bows and stop dead going downwind. I've done it on both my 5.2 and 5.7. But I've never had it go completely over or cartwheel that way. Can't say the same about the old hobie 16 though.
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2
Thanks everyone. After sailing the 5.0 a few times now I have noticed it is a lot more forgiving about pushing the lee hull into the water. I am still fighting the urge to slide back on the tramp after experiencing the fun of cartwheeling my Hobie 16 one to many times.
Sail on....
Oh it will pitch-pole if you push it too hard
I stand corrected. I have pitched the 5.7 & the 5.0.
However, you really have to drive it hard. I have buried both of them enough that water was blasting of the front beam, & they came back up.
What usually happens is they slow down, & if you don't keep your footing, you Peter Pan. If you are sitting at the stern, with foot braced against traveler casting, they will almost always come back up.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
Yeah, I have pushed the lee hull up to the beam several times. Not fun if you have someone on the trap but recoverable. My 5.2 likes to be buried up to the bridle, it just seems faster that way.
Glad to know I'm not the only one who helms with a foot on the casting. Been trying to figure out good footrest a little farther back. It will become a non issue if I ever reinstall my wings.
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2
I'm a member of the "foot on the traveler cleat" group too. I had my new tramp made with the footsteps moved inboard as far as possible (right next to the pockets), so I use the straps a lot more now instead of the casting. I'm 6'4", so really couldn't use the straps in the stock location - I was all folded up. Much better now.
As for burying the leeward hull, I agree with all you guys. I've buried mine up to the crossbar and it just slowed down. One day I'm sure that I'll end up pitchpoling it, but so far I haven't (he whispers so the kharma gods don't hear...).
I go as far forward as the weather allows on the 5.2. I've pitchpoled once but it was a pretty slow one not violent. I've buried the hull way more times though.
Push it slowly and you'll regain confidence. I have to get H16 guys to chill out when they sail on my boat. They freak out when I bury to the bow to the bridle like wolfman. It's fast and hard not to do 2-up on the boat.