Nicholson 33

Fire99

Fire99

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Happy New Year all,

A quick random question to get 2014 rolling, but what do you folk know about the Nicholson 33?

From what I can see, it sits in a a 'cruiser/racer' area with current boats and is of lighter displacement / larger sail area than the 32, has pretty good space and looks pretty tough.
Cockpit looks a little functional but other than that, looks pretty good value.

Any 'insider' knowledge would be interesting.

Thanks,

Nick
 
It's a Ron Holland 3/4 (?) ton cup boat, so no real relation to the Nich cruising line. From the late IOR period, so probably a bit rolly downwind in a blow. If the one you're looking at was actively campaigned, it may be a bit tired. OTOH if it was treated gently, should make a nice fast cruiser, though requiring more active involvement than a Nich 31 or 32.
 
Thats the kiddy. I thought it might be a but more involved than the long keeler 32s etc but the next boat I'm hoping to be fairly engaging with a turn of pace and on a budget. Might fit the bill :-)
 
The 33 is quite typical of that era with large head sail, small main and pinched stern. Your budget may be the limiting factor but take a look at the Nic 345 which is still quick but has a big main, small (3/4 rig) genoa and an aft cabin. One at Deacons boatyard at the moment. Both will be well built and perform well.

Yoda
 
yoda said:
The 33 is quite typical of that era with large head sail, small main and pinched stern. Your budget may be the limiting factor but take a look at the Nic 345 which is still quick but has a big main, small (3/4 rig) genoa and an aft cabin. One at Deacons boatyard at the moment. Both will be well built and perform well.

Yoda
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Is there any particular issue with a large head sail. I'm a fairly young chap so I'm not concerned about a bit of physical graft. Aft cabin would be nice but I'll probably be doing my fair share of single-handing / couple, so the extra accommodation would be nice rather than compulsory.

The 345 is a fair bit extra money and I'm not certain I'll require the extra that it gives.
 
Fire99 said:
Is there any particular issue with a large head sail. I'm a fairly young chap so I'm not concerned about a bit of physical graft. Aft cabin would be nice but I'll probably be doing my fair share of single-handing / couple, so the extra accommodation would be nice rather than compulsory.

The 345 is a fair bit extra money and I'm not certain I'll require the extra that it gives.
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They can be quite a handful to reef and don't set that well when they do unless you have one with a good cut.
 
robmcg said:
Agree, not sufficient reason to dismiss it, loads of rigs were like it in the 1970's and they are still going strong:)
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I'll certainly check one or two out. Personally I find them a very attractive boat. Compared to my snappie it'll be like the QE2 :D
 
robmcg said:
Look at the UFO 34 too, always thought they were a similar concept. Bit quicker than the Snappie:p
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Oi, My Snappie has feelings you know. :D

Yeah I'll take a nose at the UFO too. I'm being quite flexible. Half decent space and a decent turn of pace (and fun to sail) are the main agenda. :)
 
As some one who made an almost similar step to a 3/4 tonner from a trident 24'. Do not just look at the big brand names plenty of them out there. Pushed hard they can be tweeky to sail and fast upwind. Although back off put a reef in early change headsails early and she is still quick but a much more gentle beast. Yet you can still over take a Contessa 32 in 10 knots of wind, how do I know we went for "slow" sail with my daughter aged 6 in 10 knots of wind double reefed with no 3 to keep it easy. Now my daughter is more in the swing of things she does not like being over taken so I can keep all the sail up I want.

First sail its blowing F4 and she is going up wind quicker than my old trident ever did, with the main up only and flapping!

Came back from Southampton to home port in 3 hours instead of 5 or 6. Literally reduced a long suffering SWMBO to tears (and they where not of pleasure), when we came hard on the wind at 6.5 knots. Depends on how much of a compromise you want to make.

Oh and before the doubters set in SWMBO is still around and loves to hate the boat still, does not stop her dragging me out in a F6 with a hangover cause she wants to go sailing!

Advantages often well tested boat with minimal equipment to go wrong, less creature comfort. costs clutches are a good example, halyards, sails, sheets blocks all cost significantly more. Upside a challenging rewarding sail you might not have "creature comforts" but still a relatively fast affordable boat to run...

If you can live with running back stays there are some real bargains to be had and runners are not that scary...
 
Fire99 said:
Is there any particular issue with a large head sail. I'm a fairly young chap so I'm not concerned about a bit of physical graft. Aft cabin would be nice but I'll probably be doing my fair share of single-handing / couple, so the extra accommodation would be nice rather than compulsory.

The 345 is a fair bit extra money and I'm not certain I'll require the extra that it gives.
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No you have it in one, you may find the big headsail makes tacking hard work as you get older! You will certainly find a larger selection of 33's to look at for sale.

Yoda
 
yoda said:
No you have it in one, you may find the big headsail makes tacking hard work as you get older! You will certainly find a larger selection of 33's to look at for sale.

Yoda
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I'm with you, thanks. And I guess, not unlike the hank-on head sails that I have now, there are times when you'd rather be furling the sail in a little rather than bouncing on your backside on the foredeck, changing sail. Just because you can, doesn't mean you always want to :)
 
Fire99 said:
I'm with you, thanks. And I guess, not unlike the hank-on head sails that I have now, there are times when you'd rather be furling the sail in a little rather than bouncing on your backside on the foredeck, changing sail. Just because you can, doesn't mean you always want to :)
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Just as thought for you the No 3 is now my most used sail over 10 knots up wind its good reaching I can see behind it easily. So far I have I carried it into 28 knots of wind. Just keep dropping reefs in the main, the biggest PITA was hauling the sails on deck now I have started using the pole up haul clip them on and up they go its not that much aggro.

Down wind stick the kite up or shake a reef out before turning...

Comfortable:
http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=253279

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/34-Ft-Sailing-Yacht-Colvic-UFO-/191004876590?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item2c78c71f2e
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sailing-Yacht-UFO27-/251414295894?hash=item3a8975b556


A little less comfortable.:
http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/advert.phtml?id=337595

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/34ft-Fibreglass-Sailing-Yacht-Cruiser-Racer-MG-RS-34-BEST-OFFER-/181277752466?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item2a34fefc92

When looking at the boats also look at how you are going to keep her, if in a marina with heaters dehumidifiers etc that you can use to keep on top of the damp then there is less of an issue. If on swinging mooring relying on ventilation (which is what I do) you can much reduce your maintenance and refreshing by going extreme and having less to maintain...

If you ever fancy a play on similar and are near the Solent PM me, I hope others will say similar...
 
onesea said:
Lots of interesting stuff
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Thanks a lot for all the info, and other boats. I may well take you up on a run out on your boat if that's ok. As with most things boaty, it seems to take quite a while between having the idea and sailing off into the sunset on the new vessel, so I'm sure a purchase won't be happening for a little while.

Would be great to see what a boat of that ilk is like in the sailing.

Thanks again,

Nick
 
As suggested look at UFO34, as well as almost any other 1970s/80s 3/4 tonners and many even earlier fin and skeg cruiser-racers. In that era almost all had small mains and big genoas, but even sailed with a smaller headsail, all will be hugely faster than your Snapdragon. You can always slow down a fast boat, but you can't speed up a slow one.

Once had a 37 ft racing boat blasting along averaging 12-13 knots on a windy and rough main and headsail only broad reach, half airborne at times and crashing down again and only controllable with wild wheel-spinning to catch each wave. When one stay started stranding we reefed right down and backed it up with a halliard, and found that we were still doing 8-9 knots, but this time under steady near-fingertip control.

If you look at a UFO34, they were designed with tillers and tiller extension, and that would be my preference to a small retro-fitted wheel. The nicest of the lot are the She 36/Swan 36 designs, but others have noticed just how exceptionally good they are so prices are high even now. I have never sailed a sweeter handling boat than the She 36.

If you can't stretch to the 33/36 ft 3/4 tonners, look at the similar 29/31 ft half-tonners, and their fin and skeg predecessors such as the Hustler 30, Albin Ballad and Dufour Arpege (though get an Arpege with the delaminated deck already fixed). Nicholson also built a half-tonner, which like the 33 and 345 is miles apart in design from the cruising 31/32s.
 
Thanks for that. There does appear a fair choice once you go beyond the most recognised brands.

I guess when you move down into the half-tonner category, you start looking at the likes of the gk29 etc? (which I'm also a fan of)..
 
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