Boat models · Nonsuch

Nonsuch 30 Ultra

Sailboat, coastal cruiser · built 1978-1989 · designed by Mark Ellis

Key figures

Comfort20.3moderate
Capsize screen2.18fails the screen
SA/D18cruiser
D/L197light
Ballast ratio0.43stiff
Hull speed7.2kt
Built
1978-1989
Designer
Mark Ellis
Builder
Hinterhoeller Yachts Ltd.
Rig
Cat (unstayed, wishbone)
Keel
Fin keel with spade rudder, lead ballast
Length
30.3 ft
Beam / draft
11.9 ft · 5.0 ft
Displacement
10,500 lb

Design figures as published, not for any one hull. Full specifications on sailboatdata.com.

Reputation

Classcoastal cruiseras owners use it
Forumsloveda following; good ones get hunted

Huge-volume, easy catboat for couples; slow upwind, rolls downwind, owners keep them forever

Coastal cruising
loved · enormous cabin, simple rig, easy for two
Singlehanding
loved · one sheet, no tacking chores, unstayed mast
Liveaboard
respected · wide beam gives apartment-like interior
Offshore passages
mixed · capable but rolls hard dead downwind
Loved
single sheet, tacks itself · vast interior for 30 ft · stable, dry cockpit · strong owner association
Gripes
weak pointing upwind · rolls downwind, no jib to balance · huge sail hard to reef/flake · Ultra rig weather helm in a blow
Survey for
wishbone and outhaul hardware wear · mast partner/step cracking or water · balsa deck core moisture · Westerbeke engine and cutless bearing age
Cross-shopped
Freedom 30 · Catalina 30 · Hunter 30 · Com-Pac Horizon Cat

Owner opinion from nonsuchsailing.org, practical-sailor.com, sailboatowners.com, cruisersforum.com

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