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Nacra 450
Designer: Roscoe Guinea  ·  Builder: Performance Catamarans, Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1992
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About the Nacra 450

Designed by Roscoe Guinea and built by Performance Catamarans from 1992 to 2002, this compact beach catamaran represents an excellent entry point into high-performance multihull sailing. With 310 hulls produced during its decade-long production run, the Nacra 450 earned a solid reputation among recreational sailors seeking thrilling performance without the complexity of larger racing cats. The boat's lightweight fiberglass construction and impressive sail area-to-displacement ratio of 68.05 deliver exciting acceleration and speed potential that will satisfy adrenaline-seeking sailors. Its fractional sloop rig features a rotating mast, allowing for efficient sail trim and enhanced upwind performance. The asymmetric hulls and absence of daggerboards keep the design simple while maintaining good sailing characteristics for coastal waters and protected bays. At just 285 pounds, the Nacra 450 can be easily beach-launched and transported on a trailer, making it ideal for sailors who want to explore different sailing venues. The 8-foot beam provides stability while keeping the boat manageable for single-handed sailing or small crews. This catamaran excels in day sailing, sailing instruction, and club racing, offering an accessible pathway to experiencing the unique thrills of multihull sailing without overwhelming novice catamaran sailors.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 1.50 ft / 0.46 m
Displacement 285.00 lb / 129 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 184.00 ft² / 17.09 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran (no boards/asym.)
Rigging Type Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)
Construction FG
Designer Roscoe Guinea
Builder Performance Catamarans, Inc. (USA)
First Built 1992
Last Built 2002
Number Built 310
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
61.39
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
2.04
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
4.87
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 4.78 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2.19 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Menger Cat 15, Sage Cat 15, Tasar

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nacra 450 ★
15.0 ft
Menger Cat 15
15.0 ft
Sage Cat 15
15.2 ft
Tasar
14.8 ft
LWL
Nacra 450 ★
Menger Cat 15
15.0 ft
Sage Cat 15
14.5 ft
Tasar
14.0 ft
Beam
Nacra 450 ★
8.0 ft
Menger Cat 15
7.0 ft
Sage Cat 15
6.4 ft
Tasar
5.8 ft
Displacement
Nacra 450 ★
285 lbs
Menger Cat 15
700 lbs
Sage Cat 15
800 lbs
Tasar
141 lbs
Sail Area
Nacra 450 ★
184 sq ft
Menger Cat 15
145 sq ft
Sage Cat 15
122 sq ft
Tasar
123 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nacra 450 ★
Menger Cat 15
29.5
Sage Cat 15
22.7
Tasar
72.7
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nacra 450 ★
2.0
Menger Cat 15
5.4
Sage Cat 15
7.1
Tasar
1.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nacra 450 ★
4.87
Menger Cat 15
3.16
Sage Cat 15
2.77
Tasar
4.42
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nacra 450 ★
61
Menger Cat 15
Sage Cat 15
117
Tasar
22
Hull Speed
Nacra 450 ★
4.8 kts
Menger Cat 15
5.2 kts
Sage Cat 15
5.1 kts
Tasar
5.0 kts
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