Hinterhoeller Nonsuch 26 Ultra Buyer's Guide
The Hinterhoeller Nonsuch 26 Ultra is a Mark Ellis–designed catboat built by Hinterhoeller Yachts, launched as hull number one in spring 1981 with 103 completed. On the used market it draws chiefly owners on Lake Ontario and Long Island Sound, and the Ultra variant keeps the forward double-berth stateroom idea that distinguishes it from the original Nonsuch 26 layout. For a shopper, the appeal is a 26-foot cruiser that one owner described as presenting closely to a CS 30 in general size and functionality, minus the aft berth.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Ultra's forward cabin is closed off by a light panel that slides up and locks rather than a standard V-berth, giving an open, bright interior at the beam's widest section. The head sits opposite the galley with maximum headroom and is very large for the length, often with the optional pressurized hot water system fitted. A 1988 example named Sailavee out of Niagara-on-the-Lake shows the kind of late-1980s Ultra a buyer is likely to encounter, with balsa-cored laminate construction and the bow mast separated from the cabin by a bulkhead.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A used Nonsuch 26 Ultra commonly carries a short-handed setup built around the freestanding mast and lazy jacks that hold the mainsail, so the boat can be sailed without leaving the cockpit. Commonly fitted gear includes a furling main, electric winches, a dodger, bimini, and hardtop for cockpit shelter, plus a heater and hot water for cabin comfort. Navigation and energy clusters are equally well represented: a chartplotter, radar, autopilot, and solar are commonly fitted, with a freezer and short-handed rigging rounding out the self-sufficient coastal cruiser.
What to Inspect
The known construction point to verify is the balsa-cored laminate technique used throughout the hull structure; any suspected core saturation should be tested around through-hulls and the toerail seam. Confirm the wishbone boom and track-mounted sail function without a sleeve sail, and that the freestanding mast shows no chainplate or stay-related modifications. Check the sliding forward panel locks securely and the head's optional pressurized hot water system for leaks at the widest-beam fitting.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Nonsuch 26 Ultra is typically found in the United States and Canada. For the buyer, the short checklist is: confirm balsa-core condition; verify the single-sail rig and lazy jacks are intact; test the large head and hot-water option; and expect a comfortably equipped, easily singlehanded coastal catboat rather than a traditional sloop.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Hinterhoeller Nonsuch 26 Ultra. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 5 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | 1 | $26,000 | — |
| Jun 25 | 1 | $24,000 | -7.7% |
| Jul 25 | 1 | $45,000 | +87.5% |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $18,500 | -58.9% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $38,800 | +109.7% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadler 26 | 25.75' | $ 12,140 | 28 | 8 |
| Jeremy Rogers 26 | 25.5' | $ 10,130 | 21 | 4 |
| Nonsuch 26 | 26' | $ 22,900 | 14 | 7 |
| Hinterhoeller Nonsuch 26 Classic | 26' | $ 27,444 | 10 | 1 |
| Pearson 26 | 26.12' | $ 6,000 | 9 | 5 |
| Hinterhoeller Nonsuch 26 UltraYou are here | — | $ 38,800 | 1 | 1 |