Design and Construction
The Nonsuch 36 pairs traditional New England-looking topsides with a modern and efficient underbody, and carries virtually no overhangs—only 2.5 feet total on a 36-foot overall length, with full ends in the plan view and a strong sheer line topped by a complementing cabin trunk. Against a Catalina 36 of the same era it holds 8 inches more beam, 3 feet 6 inches more waterline, a full ton more displacement, a mast a dozen feet taller, and 188 square feet more sail area, while its beam-to-length ratio sits at 2.84 and displacement-to-length ratio at 197. The deck and hull are fiberglass over balsa core with added reinforcement where the deck requires it, and the keel is an external lead casting drawing 5.5 feet as a medium-aspect fixed fin. Chocks are incorporated in the deck bulwarks running all the way around, bolted to the hull through a stainless steel cap rail with a vinyl insert. Later boats substituted stainless steel for teak handrails, a change owners who want reduced maintenance prefer.
Rig and Handling
The defining feature is the unstayed, wishbone rig carrying a single huge sail, with a towering unstayed mast set in the bow and a windsurfer-like wishbone boom; the wishbone concept was inspired by the rigs of windsurfing boards and proven for big boats by Garry Hoyt's Freedom line as well as 19th-century Herreshoff designs. The keel-stepped mast drops through a large hole in the deck, surrounded by an aluminum collar wedged with chocks and covered by a mast boot, and sits on a heavily reinforced aluminum base firmly attached to the keel. The boom is held up by a topping lift aft angling about 20 degrees forward and by fixed lines at the mast; its natural pull is down and forward, removing the need for a vang, while a single choker line counters the forward force and flattens the sail. Five jacklines form a cradle holding the loose-footed sail when dropped, and with no jib or jib sheets the only demanding control is the 100-foot mainsheet running through two-part blocks and a turning block to a cockpit winch near the helm. The mast's highly tapered top section flexes to spill air as wind builds. Ellis recommends using rudder feel rather than heel to guide reefing, advising sailors to reef when the rudder drags.
Performance Under Sail
The boats sail remarkably flat and move well with a seakindly motion, light steering, and a responsive character that picks up speed quickly when well trimmed; being forgiving, they do not draw attention to themselves. Test sailors found one making 5.7 knots upwind in 13 knots apparent at under 30 degrees, another logging 7.46 knots on a close reach in 19 knots apparent, and an owner has reported 9.1 knots on a beam reach in 17 knots. The theoretical hull speed of 7.78 knots is 0.4 faster than the Catalina 36.
Accommodations
The cockpit is relatively small—comfortable for four, maybe six, but crowded beyond that—while the cabintop runs over half the boat's length, highly crowned and stopping just short of the bow mast. The companionway drops almost to the cabin sole with a four-step ladder into a huge interior. A large engine room behind the ladder runs under the cockpit sole nearly to the stern, alongside a spacious lazarette, wet locker, and navigation table to port and a commodious quarter berth to starboard. A standing-headroom head with separate shower sits next to port, an aft-facing U-shaped galley to starboard, and an open saloon with U-shaped seating around a table for six to port plus a long settee to starboard. Forward, the stateroom has a double berth to port and counter with sink to starboard. Owners report 10 Atkins and Hoyle opening portlights, four large hatches, four Dorade vents, and two solar fans. Original tankage was 49 gallons diesel, 112 fresh water, and 45 waste, with 52-horsepower Westerbeke diesels.
Known Issues and Ownership
The rig is very sturdy, but unusual enough that riggers who understand and can maintain it are rare and valuable, a real consideration for any owner lacking local expertise. Otherwise the boat's simplicity rewards the cruiser, and later hulls with stainless rails reduce upkeep.
The Verdict
The Nonsuch 36 distills Ellis's simplicity ethos into a genuinely seakindly, easy-to-handle coastal cruiser whose voluminous interior and single-sail rig suit long-range living and short-handed sailing alike. Its quirks are few but specialist-dependent.
Pros
- Unstayed wishbone cat rig makes for exceptionally easy handling with no jib to trim
- Huge, live-aboard-grade interior with separate shower and forward stateroom
- Seakindly motion and flat sailing with hull speed near 7.8 knots
- Later stainless handrails cut maintenance
Cons
- Small cockpit for larger crews
- Unusual rig needs rare, specialized riggers for service
