1980 Freedom 33 vs 1987 Nonsuch 36 — Comparison
1980 Freedom 33
1987 Nonsuch 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Freedom 33 | 1987 Nonsuch 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Freedom | Nonsuch |
| Year | 1980–1987 | 1987–1996 |
| Type | Other | Other |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Garry Hoyt | Mark Ellis |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,996 kg (4,400 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Freedom 33 and 1987 Nonsuch 36 represent two takes on other-rigged sailing. The 1980 Freedom 33 is a 1980s design by Freedom from USA, while the 1987 Nonsuch 36 is a 1980s offering from Nonsuch from Canada. The 1980 Freedom 33 was penned by Garry Hoyt. The 1987 Nonsuch 36 was designed by Mark Ellis.
In terms of size, the 1980 Freedom 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1987 Nonsuch 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.51m beam. The 1987 Nonsuch 36 is 0.91m longer than the 1980 Freedom 33. The 1987 Nonsuch 36 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Freedom 33 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.27 and 41.0 m² of sail area. The 1987 Nonsuch 36, with an SA/D of 14.47 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1987 Nonsuch 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Freedom 33 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1987 Nonsuch 36 has a comfort ratio of 20.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1980 Freedom 33 and 41.4% for the 1987 Nonsuch 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Freedom 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 1987 Nonsuch 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Nonsuch 36 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1987 Nonsuch 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.