1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra vs 1981 Pearson 36 — Comparison
1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra
1981 Pearson 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra | 1981 Pearson 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nonsuch | Pearson |
| Year | 1986–1995 | 1981–1985 |
| Type | Other | Sloop |
| Country | Canada | USA |
| Designer | Mark Ellis | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 6,124 kg (13,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.0 m² (420 ft²) | 51.6 m² (555 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra and 1981 Pearson 36 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra is a 1980s design by Nonsuch from Canada, while the 1981 Pearson 36 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra was penned by Mark Ellis. The 1981 Pearson 36 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1981 Pearson 36 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.51m beam. The 1981 Pearson 36 is 1.53m longer than the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra. The 1981 Pearson 36 displaces approximately 35% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.46 and 39.0 m² of sail area. The 1981 Pearson 36, with an SA/D of 15.66 and 51.6 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1981 Pearson 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1981 Pearson 36 has a comfort ratio of 20.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra and 40.7% for the 1981 Pearson 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1981 Pearson 36 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 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 1981 Pearson 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1981 Pearson 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.