Nicholson 32 - sailing performance upwind and in heavy weather

[Piddy]

I'm still hoping that a few Nic 32 owners (current or former) would find this topic and give me some information about the boat's performance. (and other useful details coming from experience).

Hi Adrian,

We had a 1964 (Mk 4) Nic 32 in the family for 20 years and have coastal cruised from Northern Holland to Biscay; My kids grew up on her and we had some great times on her.
Some of the comments about performance are correct but some are not. Over the years a lot of the people that bought boats like this (and I see this today with modern boats too) are simply not interested in performance and don't take the time to set the sails properly or even buy decent sails. Given a well set, decent suit of sails and a helm that points it in the right direction, the Nic 32 will perform very well. I would have ranked it above the Rival (31/32/34) but slightly below the Contessa 32. As an example the best Contessa 32's were always ahead of the best Nic 32 in the RTIR - not by a huge amount but still significant. When we sailed ours, we won the Nic 32 class a couple of times and the annual Owners race so could claim to know a bit about what we were doing.... Changing to a roller furling genoa put paid to our competitive racing but as we had a young family, it was a lot easier....

I agree about the comments regarding upwind performance - points OK, resolute, safe. The downwind bit is a bit more problematic - wild rolling, heavy tiller work come to mind - no advantage in being over canvassed so we reefed early and enjoyed a more comfortable ride.

Handling in close quarters in astern was nothing but a nightmare - no other words for it. After 20 years we could never predict what she would do when astern was selected. I've managed to get stuck in Vannes when I couldn't get her to turn against the wind and in loads of places we resorted to ropes and manual intervention.

Of course boats built in the 60's, 70's and 80's are likely to need a fair bit of work but Nic 32's are substantially built so it's more likely to be cosmetic work with an eye on things like engines and instrumentation although we sailed to Southern Brittany before the days of GPS with just a compass and trailing log.

With regard to Osmosis, I'd be prepared to gamble and say most have suffered a few blisters - ours did despite having been 'done' professionally before our ownership. Take into account the massive underwater hull thickness before worrying too much though.

Eventually I outgrew the boat - I know a diet would have been cheaper but as the kids grew up everything became a squeeze and opportunities arose to move on.

I hope that helps a bit. If you would like more, pm me.

Cheers,

Piddy.

 

[hisw]

My father and I have owned one for the last 8 years.

To say they are slow depends on your perception of speed. That is to say when everyone else is taking for shelter, she will just keep on going in comfort.

We competed in the Fal 500 in 2006 (which she won on handicap) and the AZAB in 2007 (2nd in class, 6th overall). It was a breezy race and when most other yachts were down to orange sails, we were still pushing on.

On the AZAB we beat all the rival 32's, Contessas etc on the water and on both legs we were within a couple of hours of the other Nich 32 Quaker Girl.

 

[Koeketiene]

Perhaps I should have used the word obsolescent - going out of use or date: gradually disappearing.

However much spin you try and put on it a 30 year old design that only two people a year want to buy is not a particularly sound basis for a business!

So, are you now arguing that new designs are better by the sole virtue that they are newer?
Just because it's new it must be better?

 

[Daydream believer]

I met an american with a nic 32 in holland in 2004. He was cruising northern europe having sailed across the atlantic.
It turned out that he had had it specially built in 2002 & when i asked why he said because it was a real ocean going design
So if you are going ocean sailing then i can understand why you might want one
However, for the type of sailing 99% of people do a modern fin keel design is infinately better
I take exception to the comment about modern boats not being of good quality. Modern design & construction methods are miles better than the old systems used in boats like the nics etc
The standard of my new Hanse 311 built in 2003 is loads better than my new stella built in 1968. Tucker browns ( who built it) could never have matched the quality of my Hanse yet they were renowned for having built some excellent yachts of their day. But things have moved on
What i can say that having had 2 Stellas & one hanse 311 is that whilst the sailing style in some direction of my stella was ( proportionally) nicer than my hanse all the other bits like space sail set up marina manouvering speed, downwind handling etc would never match the hanse. i would never go back to a long keel yacht. My hanse has bought me through every bit as bad weather as my stella. I have been in f9 in both.. The stella would heave too brilliantly & the helm could be left on its own with a bit of trimming to windward. This cannot be done with my deep fin keel yacht
For the style of sailing most of us do the modern design is the way to go. That is why companies producing them sell so many. They have researched the market & produce what the customer wants. Not what the boat builder thinks we should want

 

[robmcg]

Unsure if anyone else has mentioned it but due to advancing age, quite a few Nic 32's have mast corrosion issues, particularly on the mast foot and rigging mounts. Worth looking at carefully in the OP's narrow price range.

 

[Adrian_]

Yes, I'm well aware of that, this is why initially I was looking strictly for a boat with deck stepped mast. But after all this can be inspected and if the base of the mast is in good condition...

 

[Tranona]

So, are you now arguing that new designs are better by the sole virtue that they are newer?
Just because it's new it must be better?

Not at all. Please don't make things up and then you won't get confused.

Just read what the word means. It means that the demand is gradually disappearing - down to one or two a year. You can probably think of as many reasons why this should be as I can. Just making the point that (using the jargon) that the product is getting to the end of its life cycle.

You could make the argument that people who in the past might have bought this product no longer do so and buy something new, so that might indicate new is better, or equally it might indicate buyers don't know what is good. Somehow I doubt that.

 

[Koeketiene]

Not at all. Please don't make things up and then you won't get confused.

Just read what the word means. It means that the demand is gradually disappearing - down to one or two a year. You can probably think of as many reasons why this should be as I can. Just making the point that (using the jargon) that the product is getting to the end of its life cycle.

You could make the argument that people who in the past might have bought this product no longer do so and buy something new, so that might indicate new is better, or equally it might indicate buyers don't know what is good. Somehow I doubt that.

I don't doubt it - I'm sure of it.

 

[Tranona]

I don't doubt it - I'm sure of it.

How arrogant can you get? Are you saying that people are not capable of deciding for themselves what is best for them and how to spend their own money.

If not, what are you trying to say?

 

[Koeketiene]

How arrogant can you get? Are you saying that people are not capable of deciding for themselves what is best for them and how to spend their own money.

If not, what are you trying to say?

If the only choice you have is bland rubbish and even blander rubbish, you will buy rubbish.
The fact that rubbish sells does not make it any less rubbish.

Or is that too confusing?

 

[Adrian_]

Guys, please don't ruin my thread.

Honestly, I couldn't care less why the average Joe decided that a certain type of boat better suits his needs. I'm just looking to buy a boat that suits my needs (and within a tight budget)

Sheer numbers don't mean anything when it comes to deciding who's right and who's wrong. One cannot argue that the masses are always right and one cannot claim that the masses are always dumb. Sometimes the masses are right and sometimes the masses are wrong, that's all.

 

[robmcg]

Yes, I'm well aware of that, this is why initially I was looking strictly for a boat with deck stepped mast. But after all this can be inspected and if the base of the mast is in good condition...

.............. just hope it hasn't corroded away at the shroud mounting points and under all the mast mounted winches and it doesn't fail going upwind in heavy weather!

Apart from this issue which is a real problem ( have friends with a lovely Nic 32), the Nic is a lovely boat in nearly all respects, except the hawse pipe that bisects the forepeak berth which may put a cramp on your 'social agenda'.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

I think an Excalibur is an excellent suggestion if you can find one, I remember being seriously impressed.

Maybe even a She 36 if you could adapt her for short handed sailing, one hell of a boat.

As for taking on Rustlers if they went, I wouldn't mind giving it a try, they have boats to die for by international standards and they know it !

How are Oysters getting on ? - Genuine question.

I always maintained my Wauquiez Centurion 32 was halfway between the Nic 32 and the Contessa 32. Sailed better that the Nic, but built as well, and with similar accommodation.
With a lead fin and skeg she was slightly slower to windward than the Contessa, but far less wet and with a better cockpit. Downwind she was far less twitchy than the Contessa. Very few come up for sale in the Uk because most owners hang on to them for a long time. I had mine for 16 years and then sold her to my son.
Replaced her with a 1984 Oyster Heritage 37-a splendiferous cruising yacht. As far as I am concerned Oyster are doing very well thank you!

 

[Koeketiene]

Guys, please don't ruin my thread.

Apologies - had a bad day.

Just that these modern AWB crusaders get on my nerves.
Should have known better really.

Apologies again.

 

[lw395]

Guys, please don't ruin my thread.

Honestly, I couldn't care less why the average Joe decided that a certain type of boat better suits his needs. I'm just looking to buy a boat that suits my needs (and within a tight budget)

Sheer numbers don't mean anything when it comes to deciding who's right and who's wrong. One cannot argue that the masses are always right and one cannot claim that the masses are always dumb. Sometimes the masses are right and sometimes the masses are wrong, that's all.

I think a lot of people like boats like the Nic and Contessa, to the point where they are possibly overpriced if your budget is tight.
Unfortunately some of the nicest compromise designs which are neither 'classic' nor AWB tend to hold their value too well. If you want a bit more speed without going too far down the AWB road there are a lot of different boats out there.

 

[Adrian_]

Apologies - had a bad day.

Just that these modern AWB crusaders get on my nerves.
Should have known better really.

Apologies again.

No problem

Unfortunately some of the nicest compromise designs which are neither 'classic' nor AWB tend to hold their value too well. If you want a bit more speed without going too far down the AWB road there are a lot of different boats out there.

Feel free to recommend a few of these models on the dedicated topic

 

[kestreljames]

I've been looking at the Nic 32 for my retirement in a few years time.

If living aboard then length isn't so much a issue compared to a marina mistress.

I was also thinking they are in the spirit of the jester challenge unlike a modern 30+fter.

Otherwise something like a centuar is a bit too caravan like for distance sailing?

 

[Wansworth]

I've been looking at the Nic 32 for my retirement in a few years time.

If living aboard then length isn't so much a issue compared to a marina mistress.

I was also thinking they are in the spirit of the jester challenge unlike a modern 30+fter.

Otherwise something like a centuar is a bit too caravan like for distance sailing?

Nic 32…..great boat….but other factors like where will you keep it or what style of cruising do you like,proven offshore rtw sailer if that’s your thing

 

[johnalison]

Of course, there are differences between the various marques but overall they are quality boats. I cruised in company with one for a short while but have not sailed one. The positive points are their 60% ballast, steady performance, and a good class association, but on the other hand they will not be handy in a marina, and I found it awkward stepping in and out of the cockpit.

 

[Wansworth]

Spent four days on a nic 32 ……..as mentioned marina maneuvers ,found toilet a bit cramped by the mast,needs a hand on the tiller or wanders off but great with a monitor wind vane