Nonsuch 26 rigging (cradle lines)

[acudavid]

Hello All!
I just picked up a 26' Nonsuch that I plan to use as an accompaniment to my acupuncture practice, so I can take patients out on the water for some "Sail Therapy". We have a lot of stressed-out people in Los Angeles. I have tried bringing patients onboard traditional sailboats, but non-sailors aren't usually comfortable tacking, coming about, or jibing. The Nonsuch seems to solve this with one big sail and no need for the passengers to move when changing direction. I've never sailed on one but watched the videos. This boat was neglected for years and I finally got the diesel running and took it out for a sea test and it runs fine. The problem is the sail is huge, (wrapped in its cover) and it completely obstructs the forward view. I am hoping to raise it up a couple of feet. I have been looking for any kind of documentation of how to support the sail. There are "cradle lines" that attach to the Cat Boom with a similar idea as easy-jacks, but are supported below the boom. My boat's cradle lines look shoddy and loose with a bunch of bungees likely replacing proper lines. I think I can replace these with better supporting lines. I have a Bosun's chair and up-rig that I can attach to the halyard. I'm not keen on leaving the ground with only one line, but that's all the Nonsuch has. I suspect I will be doing John Candy's impression of Peter Pan--I'm flyin! I would appreciate any help with this. Any plans, directions, pictures of a well rigged Nonsuch would all be a help.

 

[Stu Jackson]

When I had our Catalina 22 back in the mid to late 80s, I became interested in this boat. Lovey concept and useful for your intended purpose. The cat rig with its wishbone boom is a special arrangement requiring understanding for use. I remember reading a "How to sail a Hinterholler rigged sailboat" 40 years ago. You should try to find it.

That said, I just did a DDG search and most of your questions are answered in the resultant hits. Kinda like homework for you.

 

[shemandr]

Nonsuchs are known as a pretty stressless way to sail - in protected waters.
The problem of visibility around the main sail exists for almost all sailboats. If you want to see forward you need to sit on the high side. Your guests may not have helm privileges. I would post them on the high side of the cockpit. Maybe on the combing or even on the rail. Yeah, I know they have stress but a spell on the rail without any real problem can help concur fear.
In short, I don't think raising the boom is the answer.
You can post someone on the lee side to look for crossing traffic.

 

[JBP-PA]

I have a Bosun's chair and up-rig that I can attach to the halyard. I'm not keen on leaving the ground with only one line, but that's all the Nonsuch has.

You can use a prusik hitch as a safety backup if you only have one halyard. It would be difficult to come back down but you won't die. Take a cell phone to call for help.

You 'can' go up and down using prusiks, but it's a bit complicated.

Going Aloft with the Multi-use Prusik - Practical Sailor

Since 1974, Practical Sailor’s independent testing has taken the guesswork out of boat and gear buying.

www.practical-sailor.com

 

[shemandr]

The top of the Nonsuch mast is bendy. That would scare me. I think the bending might complicate any task someone is going to accomplish. A 26' boat is on the lower end of what I consider eligible for climbing the mast in the first place. It's a relatively wide hull form so you have that going for you. But my prospective is I don't climb masts and I certainly wouldn't start with that boat.
I have witnessed people putting an extension latter up on the mast and successfully working in the spreader area. The latter was well tied up to stabilize it.

 

[acudavid]

I remember reading a "How to sail a Hinterholler rigged sailboat" 40 years ago. You should try to find it.

Thanks for this idea Stu, I am posting in forums to try and locate this.

"The top of the Nonsuch mast is bendy."
I'm with you shemandr. I'm not afraid of going straight up, but swinging out to the wishbone would be scary. I'm not confident that the designers of the un-stayed mast had this kind of load in mind, and the pendulum effect would be crazy.
The Nonsuch forums talk about "Dropping the Wishbone" This sounds like a good idea for maintenance, but my first problem is visibility. The sail drops so low that it's not safe to motor out because you can't see whats directly in front of the bow, and between the tall mast and the high gunwales, any breeze pushes the boat--a double recipe for a collision

Upon closer inspectioon, the cradle lines that support the sail are way too long, and one is missing due to the missing eyelet (a bit corroded) I plan to shorten the cradle lines with sheapshead knots install a temporary hose clamp to substitute for the missing eyelet, and re-install the missing cradle line. This should restore visibility. If the boat is something I want to keep, I'll try to figure out the "halyard brindle" method to drop the wishbone, but it may warrant a trip to the boatyard and easy access with a crane. Expensive, in my area of Marina Del Rey. But the people in the forums talking of tying the end of an extension ladder to the wishbone could easily lead to a more expensive emergency room visit.

Thank you all, and will keep you posted

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thanks for this idea Stu, I am posting in forums to try and locate this.

You're very welcome. Whenever I look on the internet for something the very LAST thing I ever do is post question on what, for boating, my be a half dozen places. They invented internet search engines for a reason. Have you considered using one?

 

[dLj]

You're very welcome. Whenever I look on the internet for something the very LAST thing I ever do is post question on what, for boating, my be a half dozen places. They invented internet search engines for a reason. Have you considered using one?

With all due respect - try using a search engine to find the document you mentioned - I can't find it. And I tired several search engines...

dj

 

[kappykaplan]

And I tired several search engines...

I'll bet you wore them out good!

 

[Stu Jackson]

"How to sail a wishbone rig"

DuckDuckGo

Wyliecat Performance Yachts: Wishbone Cat Rig

Manufacturer of high performance composite cat-rigged sailing yachts and Utility Skiff Work Boats

www.wyliecat.com

This is NOT as hard as you make it out to be.

There's even a hit on wikipedia!!!

Do you guys actually "run" things as complicated as a SAILBOAT?!?

 

[Barnacle Bill]

You can try raising the boom topping lift, or main halyard if you use that for a topping lift. The wishbone boom is supported by cables. If you are able to lift the trailer edge with the topping life and the leading edge with the halyard, then that might help solve your problem. Someone suggest you sit on the high side. But, if the boat's main is down and you are not sailing, but motoring, then there probably isn't a high side.