Raising sail at mooring

[Richard Barthel]

I'm an experienced sailor but new to Nonsuch. I was very interested in the recent conversation on raising the sail underway while single handing. I do have an auto pilot and that seemed to be a key for success. 

I have a Nonsuch 22 with a wheel and I am at a mooring with lots of room and a direct shot out of the harbor. 

My question - while single handing, why not just raise the sail at the mooring? Unless a heavy current is involved, you're always pointing into the wind. Run engine, prepare to sail, set all lines, raise the sail with the sheet released,  release mooring line, and as the boat swings sheet in the sail. If you have any concerns, motor to open water first with sheet slacked and then gradually draw in the sail. Thoughts?

Dick Barthel

NS 22 #45

New London, CT

[Rob Cohen "Soave" NS33 Westport, CT]

Hi Dick,

Welcome.  Since following Nonsuch conversations, I've been surprised how many Nonsuch boats are sailing the waters of Long Island Sound.

This is my second season as a Nonsuch sailor, so I don't claim to be an expert.  Based on my experience so far, your approach to mooring departure sounds good, with a few caveats.

1. As you leave the mooring, for a brief amount of time the boat will be sailing backward.  If you are single handing and need to be forward to release the mooring, make sure the wheel is centered and secure.   Even at slow speeds Nonsuch rudders catch lots of water and steer into the turn.  You'll want to be at the wheel to steer as your boat falls off from head-2-wind and begins to move forward.
2. Plan you departure to avoid jibing.  I like the idea of motor sailing out of the mooring field with the main set.

I'm sure others will comment with more specific tips.

Smooth Sailing,

Rob

s/v SOAVE

NS33 #009

Cedar Point YC

Westport, CT

[Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.]

I have sailed off the anchor using essentially the same technique as you have described. I did not have an electri windlass but a strong willing brother so it was easier than coming off a mooring bouy single handed. I find the Nonsuch will sail around on anchor and to a lesser extent on a mooring. If you release the mooring line as she swings off to one side there is a good chance she will sail forward a bit before she heads up to wind.

Mark Powers

[Julie & Lloyd on Rendezvous]

I have sailed off the anchor once when our engine would not start - I hauling the anchor, my wife at the wheel.  Was the scariest thing I have ever done on the Nonsuch (also the messiest - no time to clean the chain as it came in resulting in goop all over the foredeck and myself).  I find that the boat really does not sit quietly into the wind, but wants to go right away, even with the sheet eased.

Sailing from a mooring, the biggest downside I see is the sail swinging back and forth before it is sheeted in - I have always worried about being swept off the deck while trying to get back to the wheel.  Can I do it - yes.  Would I do it as a matter of course - no.  Run the engine, charge the batteries, stay aboard the boat.

lloyd herman

Rendezvous, 30U

Port Washington, NY

[Mike BIANKA]

I tried sailing off the mooring one time. After I dropped the mooring and attempted to sail away the mooring line got caught in between the rudder and the hull. Since I was solo sailing at the  time it was a bit tense to drop the sail secure the boat and get the mooring line unstuck. Add to that the close proximity of other moored boats. After that experience I decided the maneuver is not worth the risk.  

Mike

BIANKA

1986 30U

Long Island

[Rob Cohen "Soave" NS33 Westport, CT]

This discussion thread interested me, because it identifies some sailing skills that are worth practicing in case they are needed some day.  I don't keep Soave on a mooring and don't generally sail single handed, but reading this thread made me think it might be worth practicing the necessary skills with Soave, to see if the things I've mastered on previous boats are applicable on Soave.  Backing the main and sailing backwards, isn't something I'll be doing with Soave anytime soon, but practicing various ways  to approach and depart moorings is on my todo list.

I did't mean to suggest sailing off a mooring is preferred, just that it is a skill worth practicing. With practice I hope to have ability to do it safely and confidently if I need ( or want ) to.  

My experience with moorings is mostly bareboating.  I like early departures and enjoy the challenge of leaving the mooring without waking rest of the boat.  Using the motor isn't an option when you need to depart quietly.  I guess I've been lucky, because my success rate ( not waking the crew ) is pretty good.  I've not yet tried this on a Nonsuch.

Joshua Slocum sailed Spray mostly in open water, but he is said to also have demonstrated awesome boat handling skills in harbors.  I think of practicing boat handling skills as nurturing my inner Slocum.  He lived a pretty offbeat life, which I also admire.

Sail on,

Rob

s/v SOAVE

NS33 #009

Cedar Point YC

Westport, CT

[Pat Furr]

I also sailed off the mooring one time on Bandolero, my 26C.  As soon as I had the sail 3/4 raised she wanted to go. Reminded me of Rocky, my sister’s strong headed Morgan gelding. I don’t think I ever mounted that horse from a standing rest. It always involved a few running steps, saddle horn firmly in left hand and a quick prayer.  Sailing off the mooring single handed was about the same experience. 

Pat Furr

NS 26C Bandolero

Rye, NH

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[Francis Cichowski]

I am new to Nonsuch

BUT

I often sailed in and out of my slip and of moorings and anchor with my 34' sloop.

I strongly suspect the my N30U will sail just like my sloop and sunfish.

To sail of mooring 

     1) center helm

     2) loosen sheet

     3) raise main

     4) walk to bow

     5) prepare to drop last line

     6) watch how the vessel tacks back and forth

          If necessary walk back and snug the sheet a bit

     7) Decide which tack you would like to leave on

     8) as the boat is swinging towards that tack before she slows t switch tacks

               A) Drop the mooring line

               B) Walk back to helm and sail away

Fran Cichowski  capt...@gmail.com

 Southpaw  N30U #300  noank Ct

     

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[Richard Barthel]

Rob, Good point, and I can think of one obvious time the skills would be useful - you’re out sailing and your engine quits. In a sloop it’s easier to sail to a mooring because the mast is more aft. Should make for some fun practice with our boats.

Dick Barthel

Gipsy Girl NS 22, #45

New London, CT

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[Richard Barthel]

Rob,

Thanks for those astute comments. You are also right that there are a lot of Nonsuch in our area. I'm at Shennecossett Yacht Club and we have a 26, 33 and two 22s.

Dick

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[Richard Barthel]

Thanks to all for the great advice. Because I do have an autopilot, it seems like an unnecessary risk based on the notion that she wants to fall off immediately. If I ever decide to try it, I’ll have my friend on board who also has a Nonsuch 22. I do think it seems reasonable to say that the smallest Nonsuch in the fleet would have the easiest time sailing solo off a mooring, especially with a power assist. 

With that said, once under way, my Nonsuch is decidedly easier to sail than my former sloop rigged Cape Dory 25D. Tacking by the simple turn of the wheel is worth the price of admission! Teak maintenance was also a 40 hour yearly commitment which I don’t miss.

The NS22 is truly “an old man’s” boat!

Dick Barthel

Gipsy Girl NS 22 #45

New London, CT

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[deborah sabo]

Hi, 

As Rob has stated sailing from mooring or anchor is a skill we all should have. I would like to add we should have skills in the opposite direction, as in sailing to a mooring or anchor location. I have done both. Once out of necessity when the motor went out and at other times by choice. I don't know for sure about other boats, but my girl swings tremendously at anchor or mooring and I suspect all Nonsuch's do. In normal swing conditions this means the window head-2-wind is very short. When leaving a mooring, as the sail is rising and up, the swing has now greatly increased due to wind catching in the sail. And head-2-wind is a "fast tack" as the mooring line responds to the pull. Consequently she wants to sail right away. The more you know your boat the better. There is no time, it is messy, so proceed knowing it will all happen in an impromptu way and react from there. The ability to have the sail drop with the release of the halyard is important when sailing to a mooring. My old Tides track was great for this. But the cars kept jumping the track, so with the new one the sail come "mostly" down. Hoping lubricant will help here.

Practice is the only way to get the skills. Master this, and it is a beautiful sight!

Debbie Sabo

"Essence" N324 #103

Wickford and Newport , RI

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 10:15:45 AM UTC-4 Richard Barthel wrote:

[Brian Godfrey]

   Does the sail have to be fully up to sail to or from a mooring?  It seems like you want less power, so would it help to deep reef it?

-- Brian Godfrey

[Deborah Sabo]

Brian, I have thought of that. Even a floppy, not up all the way, sail is worth exploring. The typical reef procedure may take too long so pre setting it in that position is worth trying.

Debbie 

“Essence” N324 #103

Wickford & Newport, RI

On Aug 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM, Brian Godfrey <br...@wildbirdshop.com> wrote:

   Does the sail have to be fully up to sail to or from a mooring?  It seems like you want less power, so would it help too deep reef it?

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