How 'bout a Nonsuch ?

[barnakiel]

I like them. And Freedoms too. Seen many but never sailed one.

b.

[mbianka]

BubbleHeadMd:

I bought my 1986 30 Ultra Nonsuch in 1995 and have not felt the need to look at another boat since. I've lived on board from April until late November for six years 1996 to 2001 in New York City. Very comfortable. I also like that I can sail it alone and never have to go forward except to drop or pick up the mooring line. I've been in some rough conditions and the boat always felt solid. Though as Bear Away (he really knows the Nonsuch) and others said it is not designed as a blue water boat. But some have crossed the Atlantic (See book "Without Rival" as well as Philpott's "Dangerous Waters") The boats seem to be tougher than those that sail it. It's just a good comfortable boat that's well built and easy to sail. There is also a very active owners association The International Nonsuch Association. Personally, I just don't see any other boat in my future other than the Nonsuch I own now.

Capt. Mike
THE BIANKA LOG BLOG

[jjones1349]

BubbleHead:
I confer with Capt. Mike but won't bring up his electric compulsion thingy.
Nonsuches are great boats that will never race accept themselves. Costal cruising; I have yet to take part in...Will take some time as I have only 15 years to go. Work sucks...
I have endured some pretty brutal weather on lake Ontario for my first season and can tell you that these boats are tough. Triple reefed in the spring and crashed into a triple set on labour day. The boat was not scarred yet but I was.
Later

[Bear Away]

All models of the Nonsuch have easily and happily coasted the eastern seaboard, south and north, since the early eighties with no problems whatsoever. These boats regularly make the annual migration from the Great Lakes and from the Maritimes and New England to the sunny south. Maryland to Florida is a comparatively easy trip and Norfolk VA is the north end of the ICW. Beaufort NC & SC, Charleston SC, and St. Augustine are just several of the ports of call not to be missed.

These boats have travelled inside on the ICW or outside, weather allowing, or combinations of both as the crews prefer.

With ANY coastal cruiser it is important to not sail offshore beyond the "time window" it takes to reach safe haven should the potential of "weather" arise. Understanding forecasts and being able to accurately interpret how a forecast will affect your boat where you are and will be has always been a huge part of safe voyaging. Modern weather information resources are so amazing that getting "caught" by adverse weather verges on willful incompetence. Most boats can "take" much heavier weather conditions and for much longer than their crews can "take" it. Knowing one's limits and the limits of each in a crew is critical to safe and HAPPY voyaging.

I would recommend that you and your Admiral should join the Chesapeake Fleet for their 2010 Rendezvous. You both will see a variety of the models, meet crews with a wide variety of ability, and get to sail on at least two different boats. Let me know if this interests you and I'd happily make the necessary introductions.

[BubbleHeadMd]

Thanks for the great info guys. I'll definitely look into the 2010 rendezvous.

[Bear Away]

Just to be clear, because there will be Rendezvous amongst Fleets all over this summer . . . Bubble will want to attend the Chesapeake 2010 Rendezvous.

Keep an eye on . . . Events Photo Gallery by Nonsuch Photo Galleries at pbase.com

[Irie]

Just bought a 30' (Model 324) Nonsuch.
Not sure if Bear Away is the only Nonsuch owner on this forum but I am looking for advice on a electric windlass. Have not visited the boat in person yet with my tape measure but there is not much room. Any advice? Lewmar HG2 looks good if it fits.

[jjones1349]

Irie:
Glad to hear that you have made a great choice in a boat. Yes, there are Nonsuches with windlasses on them. I don't have one...will be my second full season this year. However, you may want to go to: Nonsuch Photo Galleries's Photo Galleries at pbase.com
It is a great site to see other Nonsuches. Also, You may want to join the INA at: Nonsuch $40/year and all the support/news from a great bunch of owners. Perhaps not new to you but these boats are very well supported. Till I get even a power halyard I can only dream.
Good Luck with your new boat and hope we might meet in Kingston, ON for the rendezvous.

[Irie]

Yup, I joined INA and looked at photos. Thier discussion archives are a little old on this topic. It seems a lot of manufacturers have bit the dust. I'll be crawling all over the boat taking measurements this coming Tuesday.
Bear Away suggested a washout staion forward to wash off anchor and chain so now I have another item to research.

[Mustang Sally]

Nonsuch are great boats, well made and fast. However the 36 has a defective mast and it will break sooner or later.

[Irie]

I am buying a boat in RI. I want some things done before I take her home to the VI. The boat is in a yard that I hear is well respected. I can't afford to fly to RI every time there is a glitch and I'm really not qualified anyway.
My question is, where does one look to find someone who can write a Scope of Work for the yard to follow and to offer practical and technical advice and make sure work is monitored so costs don't get away from me, Marine Architects? Marine Engineers? The boatyard is in New Bedford.

[Drumroll30]

Originally Posted by Mustang Sally

Nonsuch are great boats, well made and fast. However the 36 has a defective mast and it will break sooner or later.

My dad had bought a 26 new in 1985, a year later Hinterhoeller Yachts did a mast recall and replaced the lower section with a thicker one. They picked up and delivered the masts for all the boats in the recall, un-stepping, stepping done by the owners. I would assume the 36 mast's were also recalled if there were problems?

[Curmudgeon]

New Bedford is in MA, not RI. I'd confirm that you are buying in RI because there is sales tax in MA, but not in RI.

[mbianka]

I have owned and sailed my 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra since 1995. I have not found a reason to look at another boat since. I do a lot of single handed sailing/cruising. You don't really need a crew (they'll only sit around and drink your beer). If you want to play. You can pull on the various lines and tweak and shape the sail all you want to fine tune things. Or you can sit back and just enjoy a nice sandwich. Your choice on how you want to sail it.

Capt. Mike

[Doodles]

Not to hijack the thread but does anyone have any experience with or option on a Wyliecat 30. I'm assuming it has a similar rig but maybe a better performing hull. I read in one of Hal Roth's books that he got pretty excited about them which says a lot coming from such a hardcore blue water sailor.

I think if I were looking at the Nonsuch I'd also look at the Wyliecat's.