Giant windsurfer

[Andy]

Friday I saw a sailboat I have not seen before. It appears to be about a 30-footer, but what was notable was the sail setup. The mast was way up front, and the boom was a curved, double one on either side of the sail, part way up the mast. No Jib. The whole setup looked just like the setup of a wind surfer, only much larger. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it sailing (the next morning he motored off -downwind!- without unfurling the sail - I'll never understand why people buy a sailboat and then use the motor all the time). Anyone have more information on this? What's it called? How does it sail? Why have one, etc.?Andy

 

[Ralph]

Nonsuch

It's likely a Nonsuch.Most are manufactured by Hinterhoeller in St. Catharines, Ontario.

 

[Jim Quibell]

Yup - it's a Nonsuch

Ralph is dead on - it is a Nonsuch made in St. Catherines, Ontario. They are incredible boats with a huge amount of room down below. When I win the lottery, that's the boat we buy. My wife calls them "doctor's boats" because it seems they are usually owned by a doctor who wants a relaxing time sailing away from the day to day stress. They are easy to single hand, and are very fast on the water.Cheers,

 

[Andy]

How do they sail?

So anyone have experience sailing them? Why don't we see more of them? If they are more expensive, why? ???

 

[Jim Quibell]

They sail very well!!

Do a web search for Hinterhoeller Nonsuch and you will come up with your answers. These are cat boats. Same mast and sail setup as one of the world's most popular dinghies - Bruce Kirby's Laser 1. The Nonsuch PHRF rating indicates her speed.Cheers,

 

[AndyS]

I find them intriguing

I've looked at these on the water and wondered about them many times.It seems like the wishbone style boom allows much more "headroom" on deck, and having the mast all the way forward should allow a large unobstructed area in the cabin midships. No jib simplifies the sailing and rigging.What I wonder about is the keel/rudder position and helm response. It seems like the center of effort of the main would be pretty far forward, causing you to want to turn downwind all the time, unless there is something underwater to counteract it... With a windsurfer, you physically move the sail aft to head upwind (move the center of effort behind the midships point of the board/daggerboard).- AndyS

 

[Ken]

cat rigged boats

Spent a week in the Florida Keys at a rental bungalow with supplied sailboats. There is a sailing club on the gulf side of Key Largo with a large population of Cat rigged boats. I did not see any of them under sail. They were all fairly large 30+ foot. I can't imagine these were all Canada imports in the Keys. Which companies build Cat rigged boats?Ken