Hinterhoeller completed a modest production run of 67 boats. Wiggers Custom Yachts, which now holds the molds, later produced a few additional hulls. The 33 sits at the larger end of the Nonsuch family and retains the unstayed, single-mast rig that defines the line.
Design and Construction
Built predominantly of fiberglass, the Nonsuch 33 has a straightforward keelboat profile with a plumb stem and vertical transom. Below the waterline, she carries a fixed fin keel and an internally mounted, spade-type rudder controlled by a wheel. This arrangement keeps the helm sheltered and the steering gear protected within the hull shell.
The hull is a direct evolution of the Nonsuch 30. Rather than reimagining the catboat concept, the design extends it into a 33-foot platform.
Rig and Handling
The Nonsuch 33 differs from a conventional sloop in its cat rig: a single unstayed mast and wishbone boom, with no headstay, backstay, or overlapping genoa. The mast extrusion and resulting air draft measure 58 feet 9 inches above the waterline, according to Hinterhoeller Yachts’ mast layout drawings and the designer’s original sail plans.
With no standing rigging to tune and no jib sheets to manage, the boat is designed around simplified, single-sail handling. On the racecourse, her PHRF average handicap is 171, with a recorded high of 171 and a low of 168. Those figures place her among moderately rated cruising catboats rather than performance racers.
Engines and Equipment
The propulsion installations reflect the flexibility of a low-volume build. Nonsuch 33s have been fitted with several small diesel engines, including the Japanese Yanmar 3JH2T-BE, the Universal M35, and the Volvo MD2040. An individual boat may therefore have a different drivetrain depending on its build slot or a later repower. This variety is a practical consequence of the short production run rather than a standardized engine package.
Verdict
The Nonsuch 33 is a purpose-built extension of the Ellis catboat concept, combining the simplicity of an unstayed wishbone rig with a Canadian-built fiberglass hull, wheel steering, and a fin keel. Hinterhoeller completed only 67 boats, with Wiggers producing a few more, so it remains a scarce and specialized cruiser for sailors who value single-sail operation over the versatility of a conventional rig.
Pros
- Unstayed cat rig and wishbone boom simplify sail handling
- Wheel-steered spade rudder has a protected internal mounting
- Mark Ellis Design developed the boat directly from the proven Nonsuch 30
Cons
- A production run of only 67 Hinterhoeller-built boats limits fleet support and parts commonality
- Different engine installations across the fleet complicate spares
- A PHRF range of 168 to 171 reflects cruising rather than racing intent
