Nicholson 32 - sailing performance upwind and in heavy weather

[Adrian_]

I'm seriosly considering a Nicholson 32 but so far my knowledge of the boat is purelly theoretical.
So, before moving forward with the purchase, I could use some advice about how she sails upwind and in heavy wather.

Hopefully there are a few Nicholson 32 owners here that can help me.

thanks a lot

 

[Tranona]

There is an active owners association. Boat has probably had more written about it than any other popular design apart from Contessa 32. By all accounts it is sails how it looks and is at home in any kind of weather rather than in port!

So no surprises. If you want a low cost bluewater capable boat it has to be near the top of anyone's list - but they are getting a bit long in the tooth and hugely variable in condition.

 

[Seajet]

One of the many people who've gone a long way in a Nic 32 and written about it is John Ridgeway in one of his 'English Rose's, sorry can't remember the title of his relevant book.

 

[Adrian_]

There is an active owners association.

I know the website of the association, but it's not that rich in this kind of info.
However I was able to dig up the info about the AZAB 2011 where a Nic32 finished the second round with a very impressive result. http://www.azab2011.co.uk/sites/default/files/Prov results by class 17 July 1700.pdf

Tho it's diffcult to figure out what were the modifications made to the boat for the race, it testifies about the Nic 32's capability to sail at decent speed.

If you want a low cost bluewater capable boat it has to be near the top of anyone's list - but they are getting a bit long in the tooth and hugely variable in condition.

I became aware of this as I browsed the ads on various boat sites. It's probably a tough challenge to find a good, well equipped and cheap one, but on the other hand they aren't getting any younger and the economy is how it is, so...

 

[Adrian_]

One of the many people who've gone a long way in a Nic 32 and written about it is John Ridgeway in one of his 'English Rose's, sorry can't remember the title of his relevant book.

Thank you, maybe someone remembers the exact title.

 

[sarabande]

no 'e' in Ridgway, BTW.

http://www.johnridgway.co.uk/books.html.

 

[jonic]

Great very capable boat. If she is in good condition you have no reason not to buy. I know several owners that have very happily completed substantial ocean voyages with theirs. If you could stretch to a Nich 35 this is probably the best one of those out there, but it would be a big leap in cost.

If you go ahead with the 32 let us know and post some pics. They're lovely yachts so good luck.

 

[Daydream believer]

I'm seriosly considering a Nicholson 32 but so far my knowledge of the boat is purelly theoretical.
So, before moving forward with the purchase, I could use some advice about how she sails upwind and in heavy wather.

Hopefully there are a few Nicholson 32 owners here that can help me.

thanks a lot

Why only up wind
Surely you will also want to sail down wind in light weather
I would imagine they would be a bit slow then
I also suspect that owners may over rate their own boat so may not always give reliable info. Especially of they have not sailed many types of boat
You need to look at all the deign info, beam, waterline, displacement etc etc to make your own opinion of whether she will do what you want. I would also imagine condition of sails, rig set up etc of individual boats will vary widely. Especially as they are relatively old & probably not raced against other boats in the same class. The point being that owners would no have a yardstick to sort out deficiencies against so they may be poorly set up

 

[nathanlee]

no 'e' in Ridgway, BTW.

http://www.johnridgway.co.uk/books.html.

I've just bought one. Storm Passage.

 

[Georgio]

Very good sea-boat in a blow, rather heavy and slow but a comfortable motion at sea, struggles a bit in light airs. The trick (as with a lot of boats of this age) is to buy a good one as it could cost a lot in time and money to bring a boat in poor condition up to spec.

 

[nathanlee]

Why only up wind

I suppose that would be because it's the only direction where there's a hard limit as to what the boat can do. On all other points of sail it will still move, but at a particular point upwind, it won't, thus making it the only direction of concern.

Surely nobody is bothered about sailing speed? I have a theory about people with "fast" sailing boats. They're wannabe mobo owners who can't afford the fuel, and don't actually like sailing as they seem to want to make the sailing bits as short as possible

 

[Seajet]

Why only up wind
Surely you will also want to sail down wind in light weather
I would imagine they would be a bit slow then
I also suspect that owners may over rate their own boat so may not always give reliable info. Especially of they have not sailed many types of boat
You need to look at all the deign info, beam, waterline, displacement etc etc to make your own opinion of whether she will do what you want. I would also imagine condition of sails, rig set up etc of individual boats will vary widely. Especially as they are relatively old & probably not raced against other boats in the same class. The point being that owners would no have a yardstick to sort out deficiencies against so they may be poorly set up

With respect, talking about racing and a Nic 32 in the same sentence means one doesn't get what the boat is about.

Manners rather than outright speed, and will keep going and looking after one when almost anything else has given up; a boat doesn't get 'legendary' status without good reason.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

.... Nich 35 this ....

Very similar hull profile to Rivals.

 

[Seajet]

BlowingOldBoots,

I get the idea from sailing with ( not on ) Rival 32 & 34's and a Nic32 that a Nic probably makes better progress in heavy weather.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I could use some advice about how she sails upwind and in heavy weather

Does anyone do that?

 

[Boo2]

I've just bought one. Storm Passage.

Is that 3 boats now ? Note I'm not jealous or anything...

Boo2

 

[nevis]

The MkX was updated in 1972 with an additional 3ins of freeboard and the length was increased to 33ft. In 1977 the MkX1 appeared and the accomadation was better.

 

[nathanlee]

Is that 3 boats now ? Note I'm not jealous or anything...

Boo2

Noooo. I meant the book...

 

[biscuit]

I chartered a Mark XI, tiller steered and with an Aries windvane, several times.
Like most long keelers, brilliant upwind, but directional stability means very heavy steering downwind in a blow, when the Aries is so useful.
I found the cockpit a bit too deep for good visibility with the spray hood up, and it is a bit awkward getting out of the cockpit onto the side decks with the spray hood in place. This may not apply to the earlier marques.
That said, I think they are a really good design.

 

[prv]

I found the cockpit a bit too deep for good visibility with the spray hood up

Designed before everyone used spray hoods, I guess? So the depth of the cockpit was meant to provide the shelter in itself.

I have the same problem in KS (again, a deep safe cockpit for the size of boat) and being a shortarse have to sit on a couple of cushions sometimes

Pete