nacra 430.qxd:Layout 1 - MULTIHULL WORLD

y WARRENG UINEANacra is a name which isvirtually synonymous with offthe beach catamarans.ITS SUCCESS WORLDWIDE WITH new designs is such that any new Nacraproduct coming onto the market is bound to create more than the usual interest innew sailing craft.Such is the case with the new release of the Nacra 430.With only one new 14ft catamaran being introduced in Australia over the last 20years, the need was there for a new design with all the modern features that peoplerequired in today’s market.Many 14ft sailors over the years have upgraded to bigger and faster boats, looking forsomething more than the basic surfcat design of the 1970s.Nacra set out to design a new 14ft Catamaran that had all of the features:• Simple to sail;• Easy to rig;• 21st Century looks;• Latest technology in designs;• Large storage areas in each hull;• Fits into modern day garage;• Great turn of speed.acra 430

Nacra 430 Rocket – showing the large volumehulls which were made to take extra loads ofusing a spinnaker.We wanted a boat that wouldintroduce people back to catamaransailing where it all started many yearsago-the 14ft market.A boat that can be raced one day thensocially sailed with three or more friendsthe next day.One of the first buyers of the newboat took delivery of his boat onThursday, raced over the Easter weekendfor three days and did really well straightout of the box.Then the next day our destinationwas across the lake to have a picniclunch with four other people usingthe storage in the hull to stoweverything. That is what sailing ismeant to be.Since its release just over twomonths ago the Nacra 430 hasbeen winning many events andraces that it enters. It is arguably thefastest 14ft production catamaranavailable already. It is also competingwith many top 16ft boats. It recentlywon the Catamaran division at LakeTinaroo over the May Day weekend.Even managing to place a second andthird on yardstick against the highlycompetitive F-18 class. See full results.DesignThe boat is made in two vertical seamswhich allows it to have more volumedown low where it is required.Nacra widened this boat more thannormal and placed the main beam in thehighest volume area of the hull.6 M ULTIHULL W ORLD

This allowed the front beam to move forwardmore than normal which then meant thetrampoline area could be much larger.This was exactly what we were after; the boatcan carry four people very easily. The sidestaypositioning was moved slightly as well, creatingmore space for the crew to sit on the deck.With a larger deck area than normal we requiredmore bulkheads between the beams which thenallowed us to utilise this space for a large storagearea in each hull. Access is gained through largeport lids in each hull. The hulls are made out ofsandwich construction and were made to take theloads of the spinnaker with further bulkheads beingplaced in the front section. This is standard on allmodels of the 430, which will make the boat verystiff and able to handle the high loads of spinnakersailing if people choose to add the optional kit.Non-skid tread was placed in the mould along theedges to help with grip while trapezing. The decksbetween beams feature non-skid patterns whichhelp to keep the crew very stable.The hull design is very unique. We have beenable to incorporate the reverse bow wave piercingformula into a skeg type non-daggerboard hull. Theresult is a non-daggerboard fine entry maximumvolume hull.The skeg design blends with the cutaway bowwhich maximises the pointing, tracking and tackingcapability of the boat.The trampoline is a large, one piece diagonal cut,which can be fitted easily by one person. There is alarge pocket at the front for storing the righting lineand other equipment.The rudders are high aspect carbon reinforcedand feature a built-in adjuster which determines therake of the rudder. The rudder system alsofeatures Ackerman steering which makes turningmore efficient. A pivmatic system is standard aswell which makes for safe beaching and will kick upon impact with under water objects.Rudder system features Ackerman steering, kick up ruddersand large efficient rudders which make the helm veryresponsive. (above)Large port lids in each hull give access to the storage areasbuilt in the hulls. (centre)Nacra 430 Rocket really gets up and goes. This adds a wholenew dimension to a boat of this size. (right)M ULTIHULL W ORLD 7

The rear beam is the same as thehighly successful Nacra ‘Infusion’ andfeatures a built in traveller track, withRCB traveller car fitted as standard. Thefront beam has had the well deepenedto add more stiffness in the boat.The sails are Flex Mylar and feature alarge square top mainsail with aboomless sailplan making for safersailing and easier rigging.The mast is small enough to still beraised by one person and features acaptive ball system, which stops themast from jumping off while raising andlowering. Other controls are 8-1downhaul which is lead out to thetrapeze and a 6-1 ratchet mainsheet.The jib is non overlapping which makestacking and gibing very easy.The Rocket version features aspinnaker kit and Nacra’s mid polesnuffer system. This adds a newdimension to 14ft sailing never seenbefore in a boat this size. We wanted a boat that has all the features ofan F-18 yet in a smaller more manageable size. This introduces peopleto the art of spinnaker sailing at a manageable level. It has been greatto see people sailing across the water under spinnaker, knowing thatthey have never used one before.Boat on display at Lake Tinaroo Regatta, where itplaced first overall in its catamaran division. (top)Showing fine entry of the wave piercing hull. (above)Sailing the boatThe first thing you notice about sailing the boat is the widetrampoline area, it gives you the feeling of sailing a much larger boat.The boat tacks and gybes very quickly with the help of the deepefficient rudders.Sailing upwind you will notice that the boat points higher and higheras the wind increases, the boat seems to drift to windward as windincreases, due to the wave piercing design.The fine entry of the bow slices through any waves or chop withease, making for a very smooth ride.Downwind with the spinnaker is when the boat really comes in toits own.It just accelerates, the boat goes lower and lower as the windincreases and will easily pass much larger boats with ease on this pointof sail.I have been sailing an F-18 for about seven years before sailing thenew Nacra 430 and thought that the boat would be dull compared toF-18s.But to my surprise I love sailing the new boat, it is really somethingspecial to sail.It feels like you are on a much bigger boat, yet you have all thesimplicity of a small catamaran.8 M ULTIHULL W ORLD

VersionsThe boat is being sold in threeversions:1. Clubman: Designed to be used as atraining boat at a club level. FeaturesDacron mainsail only, no traveller andshallow draft rudders.2. Sports version: Features Flex Mylarsquare top mainsail and jib. RCBtraveller and high aspect rudders.3. Rocket version: Features as above,but with spinnaker and mid polesnuffer system.This boat features:• moulded white sandwich hulls;• wave piercing design with large volumehulls;• large storage compartment in each hull;• racing boomless square top Mylarmainsail;• pre shaped racing battens;• diagonal cut mesh trampoline withpocket;• adjustable carbon reinforced rudders;• Ackerman steering system;• kick up rudder system for safebeaching;• anodised spars;• plastic coated shrouds;• adjustable trapeze system;• RCB traveller;• 6:1 Mainsheet system;• 8:1 Downhaul;• captive mast ball system;• high aspect racing spinnaker;• Nacra mid pole snuffer system;• ratchmatic spinnaker blocks;• colour scheme available;• Plus Nacra’s five year limited warranty;• (Rocket features).We have been more than happywith the interest in the new boat sofar, since its launch we have sold nineboats which has been fantasticconsidering it is winter and have manymore inquiries looking to move to thenew boat in the upcoming sailingseason. We are offering specials on thefirst 20 boats sold at a reduced price.The boat has been sold into threestates across Australia and will hopefullysee a class at the upcoming NacraNationals.The Nacra 430 is ideal for peoplebuying their first boat because it is safe,strong, modern yet very highly competitiveif you decide to race it seriously. The highbuoyancy, stability and comfort in theNacra 430 lends itself to easy sailing with afew friends for a social sail. Even a novicesailor will find the 430 forgiving on allpoints of sail. The kick up rudders, easyrigging, modern sailplan and light weightmake the Nacra 430 one of the easiestcatamarans to manage on the water,launching, retrieving and on the beach.The 430 comes standard with a fiveyear limited warranty, this offerscustomers piece of mind knowing thattheir investment is protected. Full detailsof the boat can be found atwww.nacra.com.auThere is also a video of the boat sailingthree up easily across a lake, with its newowner at the helm using spinnaker forone of his first sails.M ULTIHULL W ORLD 9