Nonsuch 33 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Hull Character

The Nonsuch 33 is a thoroughgoing catboat scaled up to bluewater proportions. The hull runs 33.42 feet on deck over a waterline of 31.46 feet — a ratio that leaves very little overhang and contributes to the boat's businesslike, plumb-stemmed profile. Beam is a generous 12.5 feet, which pays dividends below but also plants the boat firmly and limits excessive heel in a breeze. Construction is fiberglass throughout, and the fin keel carries 6,050 pounds of ballast against a total displacement of 15,350 pounds, yielding a ballast-to-displacement ratio in the high thirties — adequate for a cruising boat and respectable for a beamy hull that resists heeling by geometry as much as by ballast placement.

Two keel options were offered: the standard draft of 5.33 feet and an optional shoal-draft variant at 4.33 feet, the latter making the boat viable for Chesapeake gunkholing or Bahamian exploration where deeper boats cannot venture. The rudder is an internally-mounted spade type controlled by wheel — a sensible choice on a boat where helm feedback is already simplified by the single-sail rig.

The Unstayed Cat Rig

Everything about the Nonsuch 33 flows from its rig, and the rig is unlike almost anything else in production sailing. A single, unstayed mast carries a wishbone boom and an enormous mainsail — 669 square feet of canvas that constitutes the boat's entire working sail plan. There is no forestay, no shrouds, no headstay, and consequently no headsail. The mast stands on its own by virtue of its section and its partners, and the wishbone boom — a paired curved spar that cradles the sail's foot — allows the main to be sheeted without a traveler and to be reefed without the complexity of a conventional boom vang system.

The result is a cockpit largely free of lines and a foredeck with nothing to trip over. Single-handers and short-handed couples gravitated to the Nonsuch line precisely because sail handling could be managed from the cockpit in most conditions. The penalty is that the rig is proprietary and specialized; sourcing replacement spars or hardware requires dealing with the Nonsuch community or specialty fabricators rather than walking into a chandlery. The PHRF handicap of 171 places the boat firmly in the cruising-racer category, though most owners are not racing — they are crossing oceans or exploring coastlines with minimal fuss.

Accommodations and Liveability

The wide beam that the catboat configuration demands translates directly into interior volume well beyond what a 33-foot sloop of similar vintage could offer. The absence of a mast compression post running through the cabin sole — a consequence of the deck-stepped, unstayed spar — opens the main saloon completely. Fresh water tankage of 96 US gallons is generous for a boat this size and reflects a cruising rather than daysailing mission. The fuel tank holds 40 US gallons, enough for extended motoring in light air or beating into a Channel chop under power when the single-sail rig is at a disadvantage.

Engine choices varied across the production run. The primary fitment was the Yanmar 3JH2T-BE diesel, though Universal M35 and Volvo MD2040 installations are also found in the fleet. Buyers evaluating a specific boat should identify which engine is installed before purchase, as parts availability and service networks differ considerably across these three platforms.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Nonsuch 33's displacement-to-length ratio of around 220 puts it squarely in the moderate category — not a light flier, but not a sluggish passage-maker either. The calculated hull speed of 7.52 knots is achievable in a decent breeze, and the enormous sail area means the boat moves well in light air that would leave smaller-rigged cruisers wallowing. In a blow, the single-sail plan simplifies reefing to one operation rather than the coordinated furl-and-reef dance required on a sloop, though the large sail area can be a handful before a reef goes in.

Upwind performance is the acknowledged limitation of any catboat. Without the ability to fly a genoa or reduce the sail area progressively via a furling headsail, the Nonsuch 33 gives ground to comparable sloops on a close reach or beat. Owners consistently note that the boat rewards a willingness to crack sheets and fall off a few degrees rather than fight for every degree of windward ground.

Known Considerations

The Nonsuch 33 is a niche boat in a niche category, and that specialization cuts both ways. Spar systems, wishbone hardware, and the proprietary rigging components are not interchangeable with standard production gear, so prospective buyers should budget for the possibility of fabrication work if original components require replacement. Only 67 examples were built, which means the community of owners and the pool of experienced Nonsuch-savvy yards is smaller than for volume production cruisers. That said, Nonsuch owners tend to be deeply engaged with the design, and the community maintains active knowledge networks that help owners locate parts and qualified service.

The shoal-draft option, while opening shallow anchorages, modestly reduces upwind performance relative to the standard fin — a trade-off worth understanding before purchase.

The Verdict

The Nonsuch 33 is a genuine original: a production catboat built to cruising-boat standards by one of Canada's most respected yards, designed for people who want to sail with minimal crew and maximum simplicity. It is not a boat for the sailor who prizes windward ability above all else, nor for someone who wants a yard-serviceable rig in every port. It is, however, an exceptionally capable passage-maker for the short-handed sailor who values reliability, interior volume, and a sail-handling experience unlike anything else afloat.

Pros