Brian,
I can’t speak to the Nonsuch 33 specifically, because my experience is largely with my own current and previous 26s and my friend Phil’s 36. I can say that Phil is 81 and manages his boat just fine.
The keys to making the boat manageable for older folks are to make sure that it’s properly rigged with sufficient blocks and winches for the size and weight of the sail, routed to minimize friction of the lines. (That sounds like something special, but is actually standard for most Nonsuchs in good condition.) An electric winch or a power assist such as the Winchrite, E-Wincher, or homespun devices using a power drill with a specialized bit that fits the winches helps a lot.
Another consideration which many Nonsuch sailors, young or old, appreciate for work reduction is a top-zipping sail cover integrated with the lazy jack system. Again, there are several commercial solutions such as the stack-packs sold by Doyle, Mack, and other sail- and canvas- makers, as well as several homespun solutions. The latter set includes the ones I have on my 26 and Phil has on his 36, as well as an alternative one developed by past International Nonsuch Association President Ted Eedson that’s very well described under “Members Tips and Projects”" on the members-only side of the Nonsuch.org website.
There is nothing on any of the Nonsuchs that would force you out of the cockpit on the ocean as long as all equipment is functioning properly.
Your question about gybing a Nonsuch 33 is likely to trigger a replay of an ongoing religious debate on this topic.
The most conservative approach which in fact is recommended by one of the original Nonsuch sailmakers, Ed Botterell, is to simply do a 270 degree tack rather than a gybe. His argument was that this is safe, easy, and that the boats are agile enough that very little speed is lost in a well-executed turn. Some people consider that to be “chicken” and have used that to derisively refer to that approach as a “chicken” gybe, but Boterrell’s point was that it’s important to recognize that catboats are different and you’re entitled to sail them differently. You don’t sail a square-rigger the same way you sail a sloop, either.
At the other end, experienced Nonsuch sailors and racers are fond of a gybing approach unique to Nonsuchs called the, “Hudson River Gybe,” because a number of early how-to videos which suggested using it were filmed there. (Those videos are also available on the members side of the INA website at Nonsuch.org.) This consists of a button-hook maneuver. I’ll leave it to others to describe in detail because I’m not an expert at it. A number of Nonsuch sailors are very good at it and swear by it. It is arguably faster than a 270 tack when properly executed, and more dangerous if not. Whether it is enough faster to be worthwhile is part of the religious debate. I personally recommend that it’s not for beginners, but is worth looking into if you are experienced, good at judging the wind, and know your boat well.
In between those two approaches is how it’s usually done on sloops – pull the sail in all the way before making the turn, then ease it out very quickly. Personally, I split the difference by using this approach in light air and the conservative approach in heavy air.
The one thing in your post that I’d be a little discouraging about is your plans for Catalina trips. That concern has nothing to do with Nonsuchs. I live in Los Angeles, have kids in San Diego, and brought a previous boat (a 42’ sailing catamaran) up from Mexico. So, I’ve done the San Diego-Catalina route a few times, both with the cat and with a 36 foot sloop before that. My general experience has been that, unless you’re willing go well offshore first and then change course, the trip involves a lot of motoring into the wind. It doesn’t really matter what kind of boat you have if the wind and waves are coming from exactly the direction you want to head. On the other hand, since I wasn’t based in San Diego, I never had the luxury of waiting until conditions were favorable and then saying, “Hey, this looks like a good time to make the trip.”
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch 26U #233
