Ordering a mainsail, Nacra 5.2

I am looking to finally invest in my 1983 Nacra 5.2. I have reached out to a loft for a mylar square top mainsail. Do I need to build some raked spreaders and tell the loft about it to use a square top and the sail effectively? I am sure I would need a serious downhaul too.
I mostly causally sail, but I am wanting to get into the Gulf racing scene. Thanks.
Rob
"If at first you do not suceed, well, so much for sky diving"

If most of your sailing is recreational and not racing you might want to consider dacron. Having a lot of experience with both, dacron has advantages, the only downside is they stretch a little. When you convert from pin-head to square top you add a little sail area to the upper third of the leech. What I'm wondering is could you shorten the foot enough to go boomless and make up for the lost sail area with what you're adding to the leech? If you did this you would probably have to add a positive mast rotation control. Look at the main on a Nacra 500. Glaser Sails in S. Ca, has experience with this. One more thing, a powerful downhaul is always desirable. You don't want to have to stand up to get enough pressure. Good luck!
I have a nacra 5.2 with a square top sail love it. It came with the boat so thats all I have sailed with. Interestingly for the heck of it I put a hobie 18 square top main on it and it fit perfectly also if you find a deal see if it works for you. I also have a very good downhaul makes a big difference. My 2 cents worth


Honestly if you are going to keep the straight spreader and stock downhaul I'd just go with a pin head. I got a wicked square top for my 5.2 from chip buck but I'd not be honest if I didn't say it really overpowers a boat that already has plenty of sale. I've never got the spreaders and downhaul to work properly so I mostly just sail my 5.7 now. I have a pentex and dacron sails. I like the pentex its stiff and easy to trim, but dacron will last longer.
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2

Honestly if you are going to keep the straight spreader and stock downhaul I'd just go with a pin head. I got a wicked square top for my 5.2 from chip buck but I'd not be honest if I didn't say it really overpowers a boat that already has plenty of sale. I've never got the spreaders and downhaul to work properly so I mostly just sail my 5.7 now. I have a pentex and dacron sails. I like the pentex its stiff and easy to trim, but dacron will last longer.
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2

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