Nonsuch 36
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About the Nonsuch 36
Built by Canada's Hinterhoeller Yachts from 1983 onwards, this distinctive cruiser represents one of the most successful applications of the unstayed catboat rig in modern sailing. Mark Ellis Design created a vessel that combines the simplicity of single-handed sailing with the comfort expected from a mid-sized cruiser, producing 70 examples over its production run. The Nonsuch 36's most striking feature is its towering unstayed mast supporting a single, large mainsail of 742 square feet. This configuration eliminates the complexity of standing rigging while providing excellent performance, particularly appealing to couples and solo sailors seeking hassle-free cruising. The cat rig's power and ease of handling make it ideal for coastal exploration and weekend getaways. With a moderate displacement of 17,000 pounds and substantial ballast ratio, the design offers reassuring stability in varied conditions. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the generous beam of 12.67 feet creates spacious accommodations below. Her comfort ratio of 25.94 suggests excellent motion characteristics for extended cruising. The fiberglass construction and reliable 52-horsepower auxiliary power make this an excellent choice for cruisers prioritizing simplicity without sacrificing performance or comfort in coastal and near-offshore waters.
Market Price Estimate
Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$55,000 – $95,000
typical asking price
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
- Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
- Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
- Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
- Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
36.00 ft / 10.97 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
33.75 ft / 10.29 m
Beam
12.67 ft / 3.86 m
Max Draft
5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement
17,000.00 lb / 7,711 kg
Ballast
6,500.00 lb / 2,948 kg
Sail Area (Reported)
742.00 ft² / 68.93 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type
Cat (unstayed)
Construction
FG
Designer
Mark Ellis Design
Builder
Hinterhoeller Yachts Ltd. (CAN)
First Built
1983
Number Built
70
Associations
Nonsuch Association (International)
Owner Reviews
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Known Issues & What to Watch For
The deck-to-hull joint on Hinterhoeller-built Nonsuch boats was bonded and through-bolted but the aluminum toerail can trap moisture, leading to corrosion of the fasteners and delamination of the joint beneath the rail. Careful inspection of the toerail fasteners and underlying laminate is essential.
The large, flat coachroof sections common to the Nonsuch unstayed cat-ketch design are prone to stress cracking around hardware mounting points and the mast partner area due to the significant dynamic loads imposed by the single, large, unsupported mast.
The Nonsuch 36 uses a free-standing, unstayed carbon or fiberglass mast that steps on deck over a structural support beam. The mast step and partner area should be carefully inspected for cracking, compression failure, and water intrusion, as repairs are complex and costly.
The wishbone boom is a critical and unique component; the pivot fittings and internal hardware corrode and wear over time and are no longer in production. Sourcing replacement parts is very difficult, so the condition of the wishbone hardware must be thoroughly assessed.
The large fully-battened main used on the Nonsuch 36 is a non-standard shape and must be sourced from specialist loft experience with the design. Used or poorly cut replacement sails are common and significantly degrade performance; verify the sail was made by a loft familiar with the Nonsuch design.
The molded fiberglass inner liner is bonded to the hull in the early production models with limited access behind it. Moisture trapped between the liner and hull can cause hidden delamination and is difficult to detect without moisture metering across many hull sections.
early 1983–1986 models
The fin keel to hull joint should be inspected for stress cracking and separation; the design places substantial lateral loads on the fin and early boats have been found with keel bolt corrosion and minor keel sump weeping that was left unaddressed over long ownership periods.
The large open interior with minimal structural bulkheads means that bulkhead-to-hull tabbing can crack over time as the hull flexes under load. Check all major bulkhead tabbing joints for separation, particularly the main structural bulkhead forward of the mast partner.
Own or have surveyed a Nonsuch 36? Submit a known issue
Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating
PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
147
SA/Displacement
Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
18.02
Ballast/Displacement
Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
38.24
Displacement/Length
Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
197.41
Comfort Ratio
Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
25.94
Capsize Screening Formula
The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.97
Hull Speed
Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions.
7.78 kn
S# (Speed Number)
The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.86
Pounds/Inch Immersion
Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline.
1,527.91 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc)
Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure.
18.02
Rig Dimensions
P (Mainsail Luff)
53.00 ft / 16.15 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
28.00 ft / 8.53 m
SA Main
742.00 ft² / 68.93 m²
SA Total (100%)
742.00 ft² / 68.93 m²
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Westerbeke
Engine Type
Diesel
Horsepower
52
Fuel Capacity
100 gals / 379 L
Water Capacity
152 gals / 575 L