Nacra 570 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The story of the Nacra 570 begins in 1984, under the craftsmanship of Performance Catamarans Inc., founded by the visionary Tom Roland. Roland's core philosophy centered on creating lightweight, fast, and agile catamarans that catered to both competitive racers and performance enthusiasts. The Nacra 570, originally introduced as the Nacra 5.7, embodies this ethos, showcasing designs focused on optimal hydrodynamic efficiency and exhilarating performance. The builder, Performance Catamarans Inc., consistently aimed to deliver boats that were quick and engaging.

Over its production run, the Nacra 570 saw evolutions, notably with the introduction of the MK2 version. This upgrade brought a modernized hull design, an updated sail plan, and enhancements to Nacra's rudder system. The 570 itself was an extension of the Nacra 500, with its increased length contributing to improved performance. The model was offered in various configurations, including 'FUN', 'SCHOOL', and 'SPORT' versions, catering to different sailing applications and skill levels.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a high-performance beach catamaran, the Nacra 570 delivers an exhilarating sailing experience. Sailors frequently describe the Nacra 570 as a "fantastic catamaran" that responds directly to helm input, instilling a sense of confidence on the water. It is sloop-rigged, featuring a boomless mainsail concept, which simplifies handling, and is equipped with boardless symmetrical hulls and a beachable kick-up rudder system for ease of use in shallow waters.

Compared to other beach cats of its class, the Nacra 570 typically carries more sail area, contributing to its notable speed potential and its capacity for a double trapeze for optimal performance. While some earlier iterations, like the Nacra 5.7, were occasionally noted for less responsive tacking, the 500/570 series saw improvements that addressed rudder-related issues. The MK2 version further refines performance with a new low-drag hull design, featuring an integrated skeg and optimized pitch stability, ensuring a smoother and faster ride.

Accommodations and Layout

Consistent with its design as a high-performance beach catamaran, the Nacra 570 prioritizes open deck space for active sailing rather than enclosed accommodations. It features a well-laid-out trampoline that provides ample room for crew movement and comfort. The design allows the Nacra 570 to comfortably accommodate up to four people, making it suitable for family outings or group sailing experiences. As expected for a vessel of its type, there is no enclosed cockpit or interior headroom for overnight stays; its focus remains firmly on day sailing and performance.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Nacra 570 generally praise its robust construction and its versatility as an all-around sport catamaran. It is frequently highlighted for being exceptionally fast for a boardless design and surprisingly forgiving, making it appealing to both new and experienced sailors. While a specific incident of a mast collapse on a 2002 model was noted as unusual, the mast extrusion design itself is widely regarded as reliable across various boat types, suggesting such failures are not indicative of a systemic design flaw. Overall, the Nacra 570 is valued for delivering a higher-performance recreational sailing experience, striking a balance between ease of use and exhilarating speed.