Design and Construction
The Nonsuch 33 is built predominantly of fiberglass and follows a straightforward keelboat profile with a plumb stem and vertical transom. Beneath the waterline she carries a fixed fin keel and is steered by an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a wheel, a layout that keeps the helm sheltered and the steering gear protected within the hull shell. The hull form is a direct evolution of the Nonsuch 30, stretching the catboat concept rather than reimagining it, and the Canadian build reflects Hinterhoeller Yachts' construction of the design.
Rig and Handling
What separates the Nonsuch 33 from conventional sloops is her cat rig: a single unstayed mast paired with a wishbone boom, eliminating headstays, backstays, and overlapping genoas. The mast extrusion and resulting air draft measure 58 feet 9 inches above the waterline, dimensions taken from Hinterhoeller Yachts' mast layout drawings and the designer's original sail plans anchor. Without standing rigging to tune or jib sheets to manage, the boat is built around simplified single-sail handling. On the race course her PHRF racing average handicap is 171, with a recorded high of 171 and low of 168, placing her among moderately rated cruising catboats rather than performance racers.
Accommodations and Equipment
The propulsion fitments show the flexibility of a low-volume build. The boat has been fitted with a variety of small diesel engines including the Japanese Yanmar 3JH2T-BE, the Universal M35, and the Volvo MD2040, meaning any individual example may carry a different drivetrain depending on its build slot or later repower. This variety is a practical consequence of a short production run rather than a standardized engine package.
The Verdict
The Nonsuch 33 is a purpose-built extension of the Ellis catboat idea into a 33-foot platform, offering the unstayed wishbone rig's simplicity in a Canadian fiberglass hull with wheel steering and a fin keel. Only 67 were completed by Hinterhoeller with a few more by Wiggers, so the model remains a scarce, specialized cruiser for sailors who value single-sail operation over conventional rig versatility.
Pros
- Cat rig with unstayed mast and wishbone boom simplifies handling
- Wheel-steered spade rudder in protected internal mounting
- Developed from the proven Nonsuch 30 by Mark Ellis Design
Cons
- Only 67 built, limiting fleet support and parts commonality
- Mixed engine fitments across the fleet complicate spares
- PHRF band of 168 to 171 reflects cruising rather than racing intent
