Nacra 5.5 Information, Review, Specs

The 5.5 serves as a bridge between the recreational-focused beach cats of the 1970s and the specialized racing machines of the modern era. Its development followed the massive success of the 17-foot 5.2, which Nacra Sailing notes as the foundational boat that established the brand's reputation for plumb bows and daggerboard-driven performance. In the broader Nacra lineup, the 5.5 sits alongside siblings such as the skeg-hulled Nacra 5.0 and 5.7, which were designed for ease of beaching, and the more powerful, double-trapeze Nacra 5.8 and 6.0 models that dominated the long-distance racing circuits of the 1980s and 90s.

Sailing Performance & Handling

The sailing experience on a Nacra 5.5 is defined by acceleration and technical responsiveness. Weighing approximately 330 pounds with an 11-foot beam on the dedicated 18SQ variant (though the 5.5 SL often featured a narrower 8-foot beam for road legality), the boat provides a massive stable platform that translates wind pressure into immediate forward motion. Unlike the "banana-shaped" hulls of earlier recreational catamarans, the 5.5 features symmetrical hulls with fine entries and plumb bows, which reduce pitching (hobby-horsing) and allow the boat to slice through chop rather than riding over it.

Handling is characterized by precision, largely due to the twin daggerboards and high-aspect rudders. Sailors frequently note that the 5.5 is "lively," requiring active participation at the helm and on the mainsheet to manage the power of the large rotating mast. In the Uni configuration, the single-handed sailor must manage the trapeze and the mainsheet simultaneously, a task that demands high athleticism but rewards the skipper with speeds that can challenge larger 20-foot boats. Technical data and class rules from the International Nacra Class Association highlight that the 5.5 requires minimum crew weights for competitive racing, emphasizing that its power-to-weight ratio is optimized for heavy-air stability.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Nacra 5.5's primary cultural footprint is within the 18 Square Meter class, a "box rule" racing category that allowed for significant design experimentation during the multihull boom of the late 20th century. It became a staple of the "One of a Kind" regattas and helped refine the design principles that eventually led to the development of the Olympic-class Nacra 17. Its legacy is often discussed in historical retrospectives of beach catamaran racing, appearing in technical guides like Rick White’s Catamaran Racing for the 90s as a premier example of a high-performance single-hander.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

When inspecting a vintage Nacra 5.5, the focus should remain on structural integrity, specifically within the hull's composite layers.

• Soft Hulls/Delamination: Like many performance cats from the 1980s, the 5.5 utilizes a foam-core sandwich construction. Over time, the core can detach from the fiberglass skin, resulting in "soft spots," particularly on the decks where sailors stand or near the front crossbar casting.
• Rudder Housing and Tiller Play: The kick-up rudder systems are prone to wear at the pivot pins. Excessive "slop" or play in the rudders can lead to a loss of helm feel and vibration at high speeds.
• Trampoline Tension and Bolt Ropes: The 5.5 lacks an overhanging deck rail, meaning the trampoline is typically held in place by a track system. Buyers should inspect these tracks for stress cracks and ensure the trampoline material hasn't become UV-damaged or "crispy."
• Daggerboard Trunks: Inspect the interior of the daggerboard trunks for impact damage. If a previous owner struck an underwater object at high speed, the trailing edge of the trunk may be cracked or leaking.
• Mast Step and Base: The rotating mast puts significant pressure on the mast step. Look for spiderweb cracking in the fiberglass around the step, which indicates excessive compression or hard grounding.

Community & Resources

The Nacra 5.5 remains supported by a dedicated network of enthusiasts and class organizers. The International Nacra Class Association (INCA) provides high-level oversight for the brand's racing heritage, while the United States Nacra Association manages regional fleets and events. For owners seeking technical documentation, Nacra Sailing maintains a knowledge base of vintage assembly manuals and trim sheets. Parts and specialized rigging are still widely available through performance-oriented catamaran suppliers, ensuring the 5.5 remains a viable platform for both club racing and fast recreational sailing.

The Verdict

The Nacra 5.5 is a purist's racing machine that offers a level of speed and sophistication that belies its age. It is a boat for the experienced sailor who values technical tuning and high-speed efficiency over the rugged simplicity of a skeg-hulled cruiser.

Pros:

• Exhilarating speed, especially in the 18SQ single-handed configuration.
• Modern hull architecture (plumb bows) provides superior wave-piercing capabilities.
• Precise handling and tracking thanks to high-aspect daggerboards.
• Durable construction compared to lighter, modern foiling cats.

Cons:

• Daggerboards make it difficult to sail in very shallow water or launch from certain beaches.
• The low boom and cluttered trampoline can be challenging for inexperienced crews.
• Capsizing single-handedly is difficult to recover without a righting bag or pole.
• Vintage units require careful inspection for foam core delamination.