Just got a NS26C in the UK.
I believe plans are available for a cradle. Can anyone tell me where to find them?
Hi Richard, you might try contacting the Marine Cradle Shop in Sutton West, Ontario. Our cradle was made there and I’m sure they would share the dimensions with you.
https://cradleridetrailers.com/
Ron
Ron & Diane Schryver
“Alpha Waves” '87 NS30U #393
Georgian Bay Midland ON
I have the dimensions for a 26 standard keel. Shoal draught will be different.
In Canada the marinas use a hydraulic trailer to move the boats on cradles, the rails accept a cradle that is 5 feet wide so most cradles are this wide. Can’t be wider or they won’t fit. In the UK this may be different.
The 26 Cradle is 9 feet long.
The keel bottom centre is in the middle or 4.5 feet from the cradle ends. There are two C channels under the keel spaced 3.5 feet apart equally spaced about the centre.
There are 4 pads, one on each corner of this 5x9 cradle.
From a plane that the bottom of the keel rests on to the centre of the forward pads at the hull is a bit less than 1.2 meters vertical.
From a plane that the keel rests on to the centre of the aft pads at the hull is a bit more than 1.1 meters vertical.
Note, these two vertical distances include the Pad and jack screws, they don’t include wood under the keel or any cradle structure. Jack screws are about 12 inches long and allow a ~6 inch adjustment.
Marine Cradle Shop took 3 tries and 2 years to build a cradle for me, first was too small, second was too tall, very frustrating. I believe they mixed up the dimensions of another model Nonsuch with the 26.
If the UK uses different cradle standards let me know and I can get you the offsets.
I apologize for mixing my units.
Tom
26C #28
Penetang
At some point in the past, I downloaded what I understand to be a set of Hinterhoeller factory drawings. The attached cradle drawing was among them.
I don’t recall where I found them, and therefore can’t vouch for their accuracy.
I haven’t tried this drawing, don’t even own a cradel, and cannot attest to its usability for anyone’s purposes. Simply offering as potentially useful information.
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C #143
(attachments)
Nonsuch26Cradle19891113.pdf (109 KB)
Hi Richard - Welcome to the Nonsuch family. If you are not a member of the INA, you should join - it’s worth it !! Bob Neches just posted a drawing of a wooden cradle (that was a factory-built option). The drawing comes from a site called venturesail.com. I believe that all models of Nonsuches were available with factory-built WOODEN, non-collaping cradles. I also believe that they had a bow and stern plywood cut-out “bunk”, not individual cradle pads.
My N22 has a folding steel cradle built by marine Cradle Shop, Here in Ontario, and it has 2 bunks - no pads.
This is a link to this very informative site that contains all sorts of drawings for your boat, the N26. http://www.venturesail.com/Nonsuch26Drawings.html
Enjoy your new boat, skipper.
Ernie A. in Toronto
Here is a picture the cradle for my 26U. It is made of hollow structural sections. Where the wood shapes steady the hull, there is a one inch thick pad of closed cell foam held in place by a strip of carpet. The keel is supported by the cradle crosspieces with the wedges taking up any clearances. and concrete blocks underneath. I use the door to the head to check the hull support. If it opens easily, the hull is evenly supported.
John
People that store Nonsuchs in a cradle have recommended stepping the rig. Bob Horne, 1989 N26C, 249, Encore, Pocasset, MA
Many thanks for all reply’s received.
We tend not to have the lumber mind-set that you have over there. The yard owners like something that can be folded up and stored out of the way.
My boat has a history in that it toppled over in strong winds whilst on the hard a few years back, not in my ownership. Its not the practise to step the mast whilst in storage and no doubt an unsupported mast will vibrate in strong winds hence for the need for a effective cradle.
Hi Richard -
Your posts are quite revealing.
In North America, overwhelmingly, cradles are built of steel and they fold for precisely the reasons that you indicated. Wooden cradles are rare and not used very much. An effective cradle, on firm and flat ground, is one important step to assuring that the whole thing doesn’t tumble over. But, please… do yourself a very big favour and take heed of the following:
Mark Ellis, the designer of our wonderful boats, STRONGLY recommends removing the mast when the boat is on the hard. Let’s say that he “insists” on it. Our boats are built “to go to war with” but the mast (freestanding to be able whip around AND really tall) is the Achilles tendon. Nonsuch masts are in 2 parts and should be checked annually, ideally, for cracks, holes, etc. It is recommended strongly to drill into our masts as little as possible. I do not know of another sailboat (with standing rigging, that is) that comes with a caveat regarding storing the boat, on the hard, with the mast up. Simple physics demonstrates that the area from the mast step to just atop the partners takes most of the (significant amount) of stress. That is OK - the boat can handle it - the foredeck, while cored, is reinforced with fir ply. It’s VERY solid, to prevent cracking or crazing and it all works, even in a hurricane, providing the boat can lean, wiith the mast, IN THE WATER. On land, “locked” into a rigid cradle… forget it.
Sadly, your boat is proof of this. I don’t think it “fell over” due to a lousy cradle as much as it went over because (I believe) the mast was up and the wind was just too much. I hope that the foredeck didn’t get damaged. I hope that the big fat aluminum cast collar (the partners) didn’t get even a tiny crack in it. IF I’m correct and she went over with the mast up, it would bear very careful checking by a good surveyor to make certain that the foredeck et al is undamaged and you won’t lose the whole she-bang, out in a blow, on the water.
Hopefully, I am mistaken about some or all of what may have happened to your boat.
You are the proud owner of a unique little ship. If I’m correct and you aren’t thinking about removing the mast (especially if it is local practice) AND the poor boat has already gone over once, already … as Jamie Oliver is fond of saying, “Think again !!”. Most of us (who are not fortunate enough to live in warm places where we can staty afloat all year) do remove our masts to both protect our boats and check (and maintain) the masts. A small proportion of us do store the boat, on the hard, with masts up and do it carefully, guying the masts in all sorts of directions to replicate “standing rigging”. In truth, this has been a hot topic on this forum. Yes, you can get away with it but the safest (and the recommend default) is to remove the masts.
Seriously, I would check your foredeck out (and the mast, too), for damage from that “previous adventure”. And, I’d give some thought to removing the mast for the winnter. Your boat will love you and thank you.
Cheers,
Ernie A. in Toronto
The mast on Katmando has been unstepped every winter since 1985. It is inspected and then wrapped in plastic wrap and then stored on a mast rack.
Call me anal but it works for me and my Such.
Also Mark lectured about it at a rendezvous in the past…
Can’t argue with the designer…
Besides it pays in the long run to have your boat in tip top condition and snag free.
Brian McCuaig. NS30u
Whitby, Ontario
“Having a new windlass is reason for being more cheerful than most."