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1989, Nonsuch 30 Ultra, 30'

Nonsuch designer Gordon Fisher wanted a boat which was easy to sail, offered ample accommodation, and was of manageable length. Mark Ellis was commissioned to do the design work for this formula, and Hinterhoeller Yachts became the builder. A consortium of six R.C.Y.C. members placed orders for this magnificent new design, and the first boats were launched in 1978.

The hull shape is patterned after 19th century working catboats of the U.S. east coast. The beam is also carried over most of the length, resulting in a hugely spacious interior and cockpit. Indicative of her working boat heritage, the Nonsuch's mast is unstayed and placed forward of the accommodation area. An aluminum wishbone, about the same length as the boat, is high off the deck and sheeted at the aft end. A relatively flat underbody, moderate draft fin keel, and semi-balanced spade rudder at the aft end of the waterline, give the Nonsuch design a low-wetted surface which results in good performance.

With no chain plates, shrouds or stays, Genoa track or cars, mainsheet traveler, or primary winches, on the cockpit coamings there is an amazing amount of space above deck on this 30-footer. Cockpit benches are living-room chair depth, with high coamings for comfortable seating. The boat's most apparent feature, from the moment you step aboard, is its stability and a person's full weight on the rail hardly affects the boat's balance.

Once the sail is up, it is simply sheeted to the winch beside the helm station, as it is self-tacking and self-vanging. The top of the mast flexes to spill the wind from the upper part of the sail when the wind pipes up. Thus, it is common to see Nonsuches out on a gusty day, under full sail, and still well upright. It is a quality which is pleasantly reassuring to guests, neophyte sailors and, of course, nervous spouses.



The Nonsuch represents good value for money. This design offers high re-sale value, ease of sailing and, with marina charges always based on a price per foot of length, owners get maximum cockpit and interior volume for their 30 feet.