Sloop vs. Catboat vs. Nonsuch
BobPeterso
After many years "on the beach" am eager to get back under sail.
Looking for a GOOD SAILING (i.e. not slow, easy to tack, FUN) 19 to 24 footer
suitable for overnight or weekend weekend cruising for two. It must be safe
to singlehand as my wife is not "salty". Also want to be able to trailer
(once in a while) between finger lakes & Lake Ontario. Consider myself to be
an eager advanced novice sailor.
I find the classic lines, wide beam, shallow draft, and simple but large sail
plans of boats like Marshall 22 appealing and am intrigued by the innovative,
no stays, wishbone rig of the Nonsuch 22.
However, having sailed only sloop rigged daysailers, I wonder about the
tradeoffs associated with a cat rigged or wishbone boat.
How good are catboats & Nunsuch at upwind sailing? I've read that it is
difficult to "heave to" with these boats.
I've also read that it is difficult to complete jibes with the Nonsuch when
running before the wind.
Do these boats present a serious problem if sail needs to be reduced by a
single hander?
What is the risk of broaching or rolling the long catboat boom into the water?
Would appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Would also like to hear from anyone within 100 miles of Rochester NY with a
good candidate for sale.
richard q. lane
at;NONS...@LISTSERV.AOL.COM, these concerns are often discussed there.
Vincent Rizzo
Bob --
I've owned a Marshall 15 Sandpiper for the last season and am well pleased
with the boat. They go to windward better than I had been led to believe,
though of course they will not keep up with a modern sloop. Off the wind
they perform very well.
I chose to buy a catboat because I wanted to introduce my family to sailing
-- I figured nagging the crew to keep a jib trimmed wouldn't enamor them
with the sport. So far, it's working.
That said, I'm not sure the Marshall 22 is what you're looking for. They
displace 5660 pounds and have a beam of 10 feet -- I don't think too many
people trailer them. Also, that sail is 388 square feet and might prove to
be a bit of a handful.
Take a look at the Marshall 18 Sanderling, though. They can be trailered,
are frequently singlehanded, and can be used for weekending, if you don't
need alot of space.
Most catboat sailors reef at the dock or mooring if the wind is up, and rig
a second reef so it can be easily put in if needed. There are techniques
for heaving to and singlehanded reefing, but since I haven't tried them,
I'll direct you instead to The Catboat Association Homepage at
www.catboats.org. There you can subscribe to the mailing list where many
very experienced catboat sailors can give you the details. You can
subscribe by clicking on the Discussion List and then on Catboat Listserve.
Hope this infor helps,
-- Vince
Allen Ames
I missed the original posting on this, but am an avid supporter (and
owner) of the Nonsuch boats.
They have a web site at:
http://www.nonsuch.asg.unb.ca/
I'd be happy to try to answer any questions anyone might have about
them.