Kahuna

Electric-Powered Nonsuch 30 Ultra with Stern Thruster, Custom Hardtop & Legendary Wishbone Rig – An Economical Downtown St. Pete Liveaboard

Introduction and Key Features

The 1987 Nonsuch 30 Ultra Kahuna offers something increasingly difficult to find in St. Petersburg: an affordable path to the liveaboard lifestyle right in the heart of downtown, combined with a genuinely unique and easy-to-own cruising sailboat.

For someone looking to simplify, spend more time on the water, or enjoy downtown St. Pete without the expense of a condo, Kahuna deserves a serious look. Her exceptionally wide 11'11" beam and famously spacious Nonsuch interior give her the living space of a considerably larger sailboat while retaining the lower operating, dockage, maintenance, and ownership costs associated with a 30-footer.

Kahuna is currently kept in downtown St. Petersburg, putting restaurants, nightlife, parks, the waterfront and everything downtown has to offer within easy reach.

And when it's time to leave the dock, Kahuna becomes an entirely different kind of home.

The Nonsuch was designed around the idea that sailing should be comfortable and uncomplicated. Its distinctive cat rig, expansive cockpit and remarkably spacious interior create a vessel that feels much larger than her 30-foot length suggests.

Kahuna takes that philosophy even further with a Quiet Torque 10kW electric propulsion system, substantial 48V battery bank, stern thruster, electric cabintop winch and numerous modern upgrades. Electric propulsion means no conventional diesel engine aboard, providing quiet operation and eliminating many of the routine maintenance items associated with an aging diesel auxiliary.

One of Kahuna's most valuable upgrades—particularly for someone actually living aboard in Florida—is her custom fiberglass hardtop over the cockpit. It provides permanent shade from the Florida sun and protection from afternoon showers, effectively creating another usable living area outside the cabin. Removable windows can be installed across the forward openings when additional protection is needed during rainy or cooler conditions.

The Nonsuch's signature unstayed mast and wishbone boom also eliminate much of the complexity found aboard conventional sloops. There are no headsails to change or trim through every tack and no shrouds cluttering the side decks. Sail controls are straightforward and accessible, making Kahuna particularly well suited to single-handed or short-handed sailing.

The result is a boat that makes sense on both sides of the equation: an economical downtown St. Pete liveaboard while she's at the dock and a remarkably simple Florida/Bahamas cruising platform when it's time to go sailing.

Highlights include:

• Quiet Torque 10kW electric propulsion system
• 48V 415Ah Full River AGM battery bank
• Stern thruster
• Custom fiberglass cockpit hardtop with removable windows for the forward openings
• Signature Nonsuch cat rig with wishbone boom
• Electric Lewmar primary winch
• Raymarine autopilot
• Garmin chartplotter
• Windlass with wireless remote
• Solar charging capability
• Regenerative charging under sail
• Induction cooktop
• Isotemp marine water heater
• All wiring and plumbing replaced in 2018
• Exceptionally spacious Nonsuch interior layout
• Wide 11'11" beam
• Just 4' of draft
• Inflatable tender included
• Torqeedo electric outboard and charger included

With just 4 feet of draft, Kahuna is also exceptionally well suited to Florida and Bahamian cruising, opening up shallow anchorages, protected coves and skinny-water destinations that deeper-draft cruising sailboats often have to pass by.

Live aboard downtown. Keep ownership costs manageable. And when the weekend arrives, unplug and go sailing.