Hi everyone — I’m Earl, new to the forum and new to Nonsuch ownership.
I purchased my boat this past August in South Carolina. I flew down in early August to inspect her and have a survey done, which turned into a longer and more involved process than I expected, but I eventually closed the deal. The next challenge was getting her delivered north to Stamford, CT, where she’s now docked.
When I bought her, the boat was named No Limits. I’ve since re-registered her with the state and the Coast Guard as Early Gay. That was my great-uncle’s name and the person I was ultimately named after (both my father and I are Earl Francis, not Early Gay), so this felt like a fitting nod to my namesake.
By the time she arrived in Stamford it was already well into September, so my focus immediately shifted to getting her ready for winter. I had a friend help me winterize, hired a local marina to address some engine issues and replace older running rigging, and sent the canvas out for restitching, new isinglass, and waterproofing.
The electronics are relatively new, but it turns out the autopilot was never fully installed, so that’s also on the spring to-do list. It’s a pricey way to do things, but as a first-time owner I’m more comfortable taking this approach for my rookie year and starting from a known baseline.
What I’m really hoping to get from this forum is to connect with other Nonsuch owners, especially local ones. My sailing background goes back to dinghies and Hobie Cats as a teenager, plus crewing on other people’s boats over the years. I’ve taken a sailing course and have my boating safety certification, but this is my first time owning and being fully responsible for a boat of this size.
Looking forward to learning from the group and getting to know the community and my boat.
Hi Earl
Welcome to the Nonsuch Community and congratulations on your purchase of Early Gay. I am also a 30U owner and coincidentally know another sailer with the last name Ott. His name is G. (Chip) Ott from Gilford and sails out of Westbrook also. Is there any chance you are related? It’s good to see the Nonsuch fleet growing in the CT area. You will find this forum very helpful as you encounter issues going forward. I know we did on Spirit~Wind in the last 3 years.
Brian
Soave is at Norwalk Cove Marina. I’ll be doing some mast and rigging maintenance and some bottom work this winter. Maybe on a day when it’s too cold to work we can meet for some boat talk.
My father is from West Virginia, so I do not have any Ott relatives in CT. I have met some others with my last name in CT over the years though. I look forward to getting to know all the Nonsuch owners on the forum and locally. I am sure it will be a great resource of knowledge and friends.
I am wintering in Schooner Cove in Stamford. I am leaving her in the water this winter with the bubblers, but covered.
I have been over to Cove Marina in Norwalk many times. I looked really hard at a 30 C over there called Elle. I look forward to meeting for some “boat talk” for sure this winter.
If you’re not already aware of it, you might want to get acquainted with the local regional Nonsuch group, which sounds like it’d be the East Long Island Sound Nonsuch Association. You can find a pointer to their heads, Travis and Donna Epes, on the website for the International Nonsuch Association, www.Nonsuch.org. If you go there and open either the MEMBERS tab or the INA INFORMATION tab, both of those menus have an option to get the regional association contact info.
Also if you haven’t already seen them, the MEMBERS tab also gives you a chance to click on MANUALS. This will take you to a page where you can download both the original factory manual for the boat, and an introductory guide the INA put together called the, New Nonsuch Owners’ Quick Guide.
Welcome and congratulations! You’ve certainly come to the right place.
CAKEWALKIII
(Peter Grabow CAKE WALK III 30U #430 SHYH - Stamford, CT)
9
Hi Earl,
Welcome to the Nonsuch family!
I too have a 30U, CAKE WALK III, 1987, and also berth in Stamford… currently in the north section of Safe Harbor Yacht Haven for the winter (in the water, covered), and in the southern section for the summer season. I believe Schooner Cove is a few hundred yards south of where I am for the winter.
I would be happy to provide opinions/input and some knowledge if needed. I’ve sailed my Nonsuch for 21 seasons, but have been sailing this boat since it was built in 1987 (my parents had it built for them!). This past summer was our first season berthing in Stamford. We love sailing this area!
I happen to be going up to the boat today (Monday 12/22) to adjust a few items, and would be happy to coordinate with you on future trips (I live in Jersey City so it is a minimum of 3 hours roundtrip by car) to the boat to look at/assist with questions on your boat.
Congratulations! She sounds wonderful. I have a NS22 in New London, CT. Keep in mind that the Nonsuch Association’s main get together is in Greenport, NY this August.
Rendezvous
(Lloyd Herman; Rendezvous, 30U/424; Port Washington, NY)
16
Weighing in from the other side of the Sound, welcome to the area. We can meet sometime mid-Sound, say at Execution Rock.
As far as local Nonsuch group - come home to WLIS - restarted by Gary Forster sailing a 30 out of Oyster Bay.
You are, or will be joining the INA, right? Good source for lots of information and helps to keep all Nonsuches connected. Make sure you join soon if you have not so I can put your information in the Nonsuch Registry for 2026 (which I do).
And start planning for the 2026 Rendezvous in Greenport. We can sail there together!
Personally, I don’t think posts like yours are much of a problem, Peter.
However, I do worry about helping protect your private information. (Discourse is MUCH better than Google for keeping the entire internet being able to read our posts, but it’s not perfect.)
So that I don’t clog up this thread, here’s a link to tips for anyone who’s interested in how to send and receive private messages in Discourse: A Discourse Feature - Messaging
OOPS! Earl, you’re better getting your advice about regional associations from locals like Peter and Lloyd than from me.
Out here in Los Angeles, all I know about east coast geography is that you guys are all 5-6 hours flight time away, require three hours worth of jet lag, and I’d have to get up at a really inconvenient hour if I wanted to take a picture of your sun over the water.
Yes it often surprises me to see someone post their personal contact info on an open forum and I must confess that I have done the same with thankfully no negative results, however Peter I now have your number. Let me reassure you I will not abuse that privilege. I may have to use it if I am ever in dire straights while sailing in the Stamford area. Let’s hope that never happens.
Brian
I am in the INA. I look forward to the season and meeting everyone on the Sound…
CAKEWALKIII
(Peter Grabow CAKE WALK III 30U #430 SHYH - Stamford, CT)
20
Thank you, Bob.
I did give consideration to posting my number, and decided the benefit to Earl to meet today, not knowing how closely he was monitoring Discourse (I check it only once a day, usually), outweighed the slight chance that the North Korean Government somehow hacked our conversation as was going to try to lure me in to spy on LI Sound sailing…
But with all sincerity, I do appreciate the concern!!
Jong A Ri
I mean Peter! Yeah, that’s it… Peter! Whew…
