1983 Nonsuch 26 Classic For Sale

Designed by Mark Ellis at the request of a famous Canadian racing sailor who wanted a fast, easy-to-handle cruising boat for his retirement, the Nonsuch series are among the most popular alternative-rigged production boats ever built.

The most distinctive feature of any Nonsuch is its sail plan. A freestanding aluminum mast placed far forward in the bow of the boat supports a loose-footed mainsail that is hoisted inside a wishbone boom, the end of which is sheeted to the boat's transom. The boom, because it is canted downwards, acts as a vang and keeps the clew of the sail from riding up as it is eased.

Sail shape is controlled with a "choker" line, which when tightened pulls the boom aft in relation to the mast, thus flattening the sail, and when loosened allows the boom to shift forward, thus increasing draft.

The only other controls aside from the halyard are slab-reefing lines for the tack and clew. The reefed portion of the sail, or the entire sail when doused, falls unassisted into a set of permanently rigged lazy jacks hanging under the boom.

The generous beam of the boat provides for a lot of stability and allows for an enormous interior, as roomy as found in a typical thirty-foot boat. This particular boat is in the "classic" layout, with two quarter-berths aft and a saloon with two full-length settees all the way forward.

The galley features the usual sailboat fare, a propane stove/oven, sink, and icebox, and the boat also has a built-in propane space heater as well as a propane on-demand hot water heater for the shower... far more effective and practical than the typical engine or electric/engine-heated 6-gallon units usually found o these boats.

It is likely you are looking at a Nonsuch because you know what it is and why you might want one, others will note the unusual design and read up about the pros and cons thereof, in the end, what you have is a good, solid, easy to handle boat popular among those just starting their boating lives as well as those nearing the sunset years looking to stay on the water with less effort.

The photos tell the story, the boat is in overall good condition, needs bottom paint, sail and running rigging in good shape, seller reports that everything works as it should and the engine runs well.