Design and Construction
The Nonsuch 22 is built predominantly of fiberglass, with a plumb stem and square transom over a fixed fin keel. At 5,000 pounds displacement and 1,800 pounds of ballast, the boat carries a 36 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio that lends it composure for its length. The original 22 followed the Nonsuch formula with a huge interior and standing headroom, but in giving it that headroom the boat proved too tall for its beam; later versions saw the coach-house height and headroom reduced. During production the design also went through a re-design to correct deficiencies that had resulted from scaling the 22 down from the 30-foot hull. One reviewer notes that it is not a full-fledged traditional catboat — the beam is not quite as wide, the hull carries a fin keel rather than a centerboard, and the rig is not gaff-headed.
Rig and Handling
The defining element is the wishbone rig, described by one reviewer as the boat's most distinctive feature, with cradle lines to contain the lowered sail. The unstayed mast and wishbone boom are paired so the boom can be tensioned downward to preserve sail shape downwind, while also affording the crew extra head clearance. All control lines are managed from the security of the cockpit, and the boat can be operated without ever going forward onto a bucking foredeck. With the fin keel and spade rudder, helm response is instantaneous and the boat will turn in her own length. An owner reports a tiller in hand at the helm, and the single-sail arrangement makes for a stress-free, intimate relationship between sailor and water.
Accommodations
For a 22-foot boat the cabin is large, with an enclosed head and a small galley as standard. The original layout amazed one reviewer with its enclosed head and full galley, and the enclosed head itself offers full headroom for an average-sized male — rare in a vessel of this size. Interior finish is excellent, with all teak satin varnished and a cedar ceiling over the settee. The port settee extends to form a king-sized double if desired, and opening ports with a forward hatch keep the air moving below. Owners characterize the boat as a cozy little craft suited to two people.
Performance Under Sail
The catboat rig and modest sail plan produce a hull speed of 6.07 knots. On the PHRF scale the design averages 240, with a recorded high of 252 and low of 225. The boat is well suited to gunkholing around Penobscot Bay, and elderly sailors report that nestling the 22-footer up to a gas dock is a cinch. The combination of instantaneous helm and compact footprint makes close-quarters maneuvering undemanding.
The Verdict
The Nonsuch 22 is a rare, purpose-built small catboat that trades traditional pedigree for modern convenience. Its wishbone rig and cockpit-led controls make single-handed or senior-crewed sailing genuinely stress-free, while the cabin punches far above its 22 feet. The short production run and mid-course corrections mean buyers should understand which coach-house height their candidate carries, but the essential character — simple, intimate, and easy to handle — is consistent across the class.
Pros
- Single sail with all controls in the cockpit; no foredeck work underway
- Wishbone boom preserves downwind shape and adds headroom
- Large cabin with enclosed head and standing headroom for its size
- Instantaneous helm and turn-in-own-length maneuverability
Cons
- Only 58 built; limited availability
- Original coach-house height too tall for beam, later reduced
- Not a traditional catboat in beam, keel, or rig configuration
