Nonsuch 30

Specifications:

L.O.A.: 30' 4" (9.25 m)
L.W.L.: 28' 9" (8.76 m)
Beam: 11' 10" (3.38 m)
Draft: 5' 0" (1.51 m)

Displ: 11,500 lbs. (5216 kg.)
Ballast: 4500 lbs. (2041 kg.)

Motor: diesel
Headroom: standing
Berths: 4 to 6
Rating  (PHRF-LO) : 153

Price range: $65,000 to $105,000
(the older Classic models tend to sell in low range)



    This 30 footer was the first of the Nonsuch line of sailboats. It is one of the more unique models on the market and Nonsuch boats have gained widespread popularity in Canada and the US in the 1980s and 1990s.

    The design for the Nonsuch is a Canadian concept inspired by the American catboats. The idea behind these boats was the brainchild of Gordon Fisher, a well known sailor and businessman from the Toronto area. The Nonsuch line of boats were designed by Mark Ellis and built by Hinterhoeller well into the 1990s. It is interesting to note that they were named after the famous "Nonsuch", a 50 foot (15 metres) square rigged ketch which successfully sailed into the Canadian Arctic in 1668, and thereby cleared the way for the creation of the Hudson's Bay Company two years later.

    Although the Nonsuch's single large sail means that its windward ability will not equal that of a sloop with headsail, it modern underwater profile allows it to point higher than many people would expect. The fin keel and spade rudder found on the Nonsuches also does away with the windward helm which is characteristic of the Cape Cod catboats. One of the great advantages of the Nonsuch boats is that they are very easy to sail short-handed, or even single-handed. (For example, you only need to turn the wheel to tack this sailboat.) For this reason, it is expected that these boat will grow in popularity as generations of sailors from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s move into their retirement years.

    Because of the nature of their hull design, the Nonsuches are very big boats. In terms interior volume, they are probably 20% to 30% larger than their length would indicate. At first glance, Nonsuches may seem a little expensive, but their prices are more competitive when compared to that of boats that are 20% to 30% larger. It should be noted that over the years, the Nonsuch 30 was built with three interior layouts; the Classic (top floor plan), the Ultra (lower floor plan), and, in the 1990s, the Nova (not shown). Although not all described on this web site, there are several Nonsuch models ranging in size from 22 to 36 feet.

    by Michael McGoldrick.
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