Safety Information; Know Your Ability Level - Nacra FCS Owner's Manual

2 . s a f e t y i n f o r m a t i o n
Sailing a fully foiling craft is a hazardous sport, with many
disciplines and ability levels. As with all sports, there are
inherent risks of injury. The following contains key points
to remember when operating your Nacra FCS craft:
 Be familiar with the Nacra FCS deck lay-out, trim and
control systems.
 Make sure the trim and control system are rigged and
used according to the supplied instructions, as written in
this manual as in the assembly manual.
 Make sure your Nacra is maintained well and in good
order, a frequent inspection of the Nacra should be
made in order to identify punctures, tears, cracks or
abrassions of the composite foils, metal fittings, ropes
and their knots. Make sure all shackles, bolts and nuts
are securely fastened at all time. (see Maintenances for
more information)
 Do not lend your Nacra to someone who has not been
fully instructed on the use of this sailing craft. Other us-
ers should also read this manual and be proficient in all
its points.
 Check your gear before going on the water. Insure that
all systems are rigged properly and are in working order.
P R O T E C T I V E G E A R
We strongly recommend the use of the following protective
gear:

Sailing/Kiteboarding/Snowboarding specific helmet

Impact Vest and/or Life Jacket, Flotation Vest

Neoprene Wet Suit or a Dry Suit

Gloves

Foot Protection

Eye Protection

Flare

PLB (Personal Locator Beacon ) transmitter

Knife

emergency oxygen tank

Sunscreen

KNOW YOUR ABILITY LEVEL


Always sail the Nacra F20 FCS with 2 persons with a mini-
mum weight of 150 kg.

Do NOT attempt sailing without appropriate instruction.

Make sure you are in good physical condition before
using this product.

Make sure your are a proficient swimmer before using
this product in or near the water.

Make sure the wind and water conditions are within
your ability level and that you have made the correct
equipment choices.

Never sail further from the shore that the shore is out of
visibility.

Always save a reserve of energy before you are exhaust-
ed

Your are responsible for the proper operation of your
Nacra.
W I N D , W A T E R , A N D W E A T H -
E R C O N D I T I O N S

Do NOT under estimate the power of the wind.

Be aware of unpredictable and changing weather condi-
tions.

Avoid strong, gusty wind.

Be careful of wave conditions, especially when learning.

Be educated about tides and rip currents.

Be mindful of your ability level. Do NOT sail if conditions
are beyond your ability level.

Have knowledge about air and water temperatures and
wear appropriate protection against the elements.

Do NOT use this product in thunderstorms.

Consult an anemometer and weather stations to deter-
mine wind speeds if necessary.
F U L L Y F O I L I N G
Fully foiling is the term
used to define the condi-
tion when the weight of
the Nacra FCS including the
weight of the crew is fully
balanced on the lift pro-
duced by the foils (e.g. the
Daggerboard and Rudder)
or both hull are completely
out of the water and flying.
Approach your first fully foiling sessions in steps to get famil-
iar with this product:
 Do NOT sail your first ten (10) sailing sessions in wind-
speeds of 15 knots (28 km/h) or above.
 Sail your first sessions in flat water or calm seas
 Take time to get familiar with fully foiling and start with
both crews sitting on the deck of the windward hull be-
fore you go out on the trapeze.
 Learn to understand how to react with steering in the
transition zone between non foiling and full foiling.
 When both crews start trapezing begin to stand high in
trapeze to prefend you don't get washed away from the
boat (Tea-backing) by a wave or when the boat heels to
windward with the leeward hull still flying.
CAUTION!
Make sure the surface area is always as smooth as
possible, particularly the elbow element region of the
Daggerboard. As a rough or damaged surface (paint
damage) could easily induce 'ventilation' of the foil in
Full Foiling mode. When the foil ventilates the pro-
duced lift will reduce significantly causing the boat to
drop out of Foil Foiling mode quite aggressively.
6