There is lust in my heart

[john6206]

I’ve been sailing something like 30 years. I’ve owned 4 sailboats, counting the two I currently own, and the requisite fleet of canoes and kayaks. I frequently find myself cruising internet boat-porn. I‘m no stranger to boat lust, but I don’t think I’ve ever been afflicted by the second deadly sin quite this badly.

The object of my lust is a Nonsuch 260. She’s for sale just a couple hours north of me, the price seems more than reasonable, and my friends… she. is. gorgeous.

I can’t help but feeling that if it were just a couple years from now, I’d jump all over this thing. Right now I’m just working too many hours to justify the cost. Here it is summer solstice, and I haven‘t even got my Capri 18 wet yet (been out on the 11’ dinghy several times).

Somebody give me a bit of solace. Tell me it’s too small for the Great Lakes, tell me catboats don‘t sail well, tell me Nonsuch 260 all have massive mechanical problems, tell me they photograph well but they are ugly up close.

OR . . .

If you live in Cheboygan Michigan, and this boat sounds like yours . . . Send me a message, I’ll buy you dinner in exchange for a trip around the bay.

And who knows where it might lead?

 

[capta]

If you've been around boats as long as you have, you must know the way to a boat's heart isn't a dinner, but a haul, sand and repaint of her bottom!

 

[SFS]

...Somebody give me a bit of solace. Tell me it’s too small for the Great Lakes, tell me catboats don‘t sail well, tell me Nonsuch 260 all have massive mechanical problems, tell me they photograph well but they are ugly up close...

I wish I could help you. Based on my experience, none of the statements above are particularly true.

Actually, I can help a little - only you can decide if the size of the boat vs. size of the water body statement is true.

Now I'll make it worse. They are hard to find, and sell quickly, at least in the southern US. In Michigan, I don't know, maybe it's too much of a unicorn. Everyone I've talked to loved theirs, and the list of reasons why is long and varied. There was one berthed nose to nose with us in FL, and just looking at it made me smile.

Good luck. Lust is a powerful thing.

 

[rgranger]

Somebody give me a bit of solace.

I've been thinking about the cruiser I would want once I'm retired (and my knees are totally gone) and the nonsuch is on my list... along with the freedom 33... and the Nor'sea 27.

I've read about some issues with the retractable keel on the nonsuch but there are posts that walk you through the fixes. They look like a great way to explore the Atlantic coast with relative ease and style.

Ask for a sea trial.... bring the admiral... have a restaurant on the cruise that you can dock at and enjoy a little libation ... then promise to sell all of the other boats if you can have this one...

Sorry, I know it is not the advice you wanted.

 

[john6206]

@capta
Precisely why a beautiful 26 appeals more than a beautiful 35!

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I'm constantly looking at other boats.. For us now,we also aren't making the time to use the great boat we already own.
The whole Nonsuch family of boats are great looking .

 

[Kings Gambit]

So many boats, so little time.

 

[dlochner]

The Nonsuch 26 is not too small for the Great Lakes. With only one sail, sailing handling is much easier. The sailing characteristics off the wind are better than on the wind. Because of the design with the mast forward and broad beam, the interior feels more like a 30 footer, but there is no V-berth and if I recall correctly the quarter berth(s) are small.

 

[Eddie C]

I too have had an off and on crush on the Nonsuch. The ad in Sail magazine in the 80’s said the 26 “is the one for two”. Knew a lady whose family had a 30’ and loved it. Sadly, I’ve never sailed on one. Go for it or at least check it out.

 

[dmax]

The Nonsuch 26 came in an Ultra model with a forward berth, of course these are more desirable so cost more. Very comfortable for a 26 footer:

 

[patbratton]

When I was younger I discovered a Bill Atkin Design called Little Water Sr. It was a 26 foot Cat Ketch. I thought,"What a simple design and easy to sail." It is a double ended heavy boat. Later when I saw the Nonsuch line I want one. I inquired about buying one but ran into issues have it transported to Georgia.

 

[john6206]

@dmax the one (still there) is a 260 ultra.
It does look pretty sweet.

 

[john6206]

Well, I let it go.
It's officially the one that got away. I may regret that. Wife was on board, price was right. . . . As @SFS predicted, it didn't last long!

Ultimately I decided it didn't make sense. I've been sailing 3 days so far this summer. I wouldn't have any more time on my hands if I had a boat in a slip 4 hours from my house. Maybe in a couple years life will slow down a bit. That's the plan anyway.

Meanwhile, I love my little boat. I think I like messing with it in the driveway almost as much as sailing it. This year I redid much of the brightwork, planning to do the rest this winter. Planning to pain the hull - dark green. Having fun and didn't spend any extra cash.

 

[rgranger]

as Socrates said….”know thyself”

 

[rgranger]

A Nor'sea 27 popped up on my FB feed...

I've been lusting over this boat for a long time. This one looks like it has been very well loved...

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[john6206]

@rgranger that is an amazing boat!

I've always thought 27' was too small for a center cockpit. Like maybe the aft cabin is where you keep your cooler and nothing else, but assuming the pictures don't lie, they've done some magic on the design of this one.

 

[rgranger]

@rgranger that is an amazing boat!

they've done some magic on the design of this one.

Agreed....

...and I've seen ads where it is on a trailer. It has an 8' beam so highway legal.

https://sailingtexas.com/201501/snorsea27107.html

I've had my eye on this boat for a while.

Also came in a aft cockpit version (single cabin)

 

[john6206]

@rgranger there is one for sale in Holland Michigan right now.
pits almost “too pretty.” Too much beautiful woodwork.

You don’t buy a wooden boat, you marry it.

 

[rtetu]

I feel badly about some of the replies you received, as many were quite inaccurate.
We own one of the 9 Nonsuch 260 built, and what some people claimed was way off. For example, they do not have a retractable keel, but a shoal keel. They have a v-berth; there is no ultra version, but it looks a lot like an Ultra.
With carbon fiber mast and wishbone, they are a dream. I bought one who had been all its life on a large freshwater lake, with less than 100 hours on it Yanmar engine. I also bought two years earlier than expected, worth it all the way. If you see one again, go sail it. Here in the San Juans, it is a great boat for our location. And at the cost of purchase and maintenance, perfect for retired teachers.

 

[shemandr]

I've sailed a bit on a Nonsuch 30 or maybe 33, I forget. Anyway, I am critical of the long boom for downwind sailing in waves. I've posted this before, but in a breeze going downwind the boom can drag in the water when the boat rolls to leeward. By dragging I mean the boom is drawn aft from its downwind position. Then when the boat comes up the boom is freed from the water drag and the wind fills the sail and the sail races forward until it is stopped by the sheet. The result is a good shake to the rig and hence to the hull. Fun at first but annoying after a while and scary past that. Mostly you are just waiting for something to break from the shock loading. And indeed that happened to a different crew on that boat another time.
Been there and I'm not a fan. Nice day sailer for an short handed crew but not really an open water boat.