Nicholson 345 Help

[axismatt]

As happens with most people my search criteria for a boat has been refined. I now want a boat capable of long passages at a decent pace and with decent live aboard facilities for up to 3 months at a time.

The Nich 345 seems to fit the bill (and my budget) 3 came throught the 79 Fastent un-damaged, reasonable rating (didnt mention I like to do a bit of round the cans). Easily sailed short handed, no runners, largish main. Good accomodation, hot water, aft cabin loads of locker space.

So why did they not sell well, anyone sailed one/own one?

Any advice would be great, and thanks all for past help.

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[Twister_Ken]

Why didn't they sell well?

Maybe it's because the boat was very far from the classic 'bullet-proof' Nic cruising yachts which preceeded it, so it was appealing to non-trad Nic market. Might also have suffered from the bad reputation its smaller sister got in Fastnet 79.

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[axismatt]

Thanks Ken, I imagined that was the reason, just puzzles me a little that the 33 an earlier design also by Ron Holland outwardly similar to the ill fated 1/2 tonner you mentioned sold 69 and is still successful today whereas there were only 25 345s built. Also I read an American review that quotes that 3 were im the 79 Fastnet 2 dropped out as their owners didn’t want to slog it out the other finished 6th in Class 3, all were inspected and found to be free from damage with no evidence of the hull or joints flexing anywhere.

Its not a boat that you have raced against or on then in your racing days then?

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[Twister_Ken]

I was racing on a Hustler 32 1/2 ton and OOD 34 at the time, so the 345 was one notch up @ 3/4 ton I think. Certainly saw a few around, but don't remember them being pot baggers. Did you look at the Kings Yacht Agency website - that has a critique of all the commoner Nics.

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[axismatt]

Yes they have one for sale in Dublin - hence the interest. Will be viewing/sailing ASAP Thanks for the help.

The Holman really is beautiful like many of the S&S designs of the period somehow lighter looking than most of the Buchanan designs.

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[30boat]

They where also built in brazil under the name Fast 345.There is one in Lisbon that I looked at and it appeared well built apart from almost inexistent reinforcement at the keel area.Once when it was being put ashore the bottom started flexing inwards so much that they had to lift it up again and build a proper cradle for it.I still would have bought it and was prepared to rebuild the keel floors but the vendor was a bit greedy.I know that the boat had been sailed from Brazil to portugal a few years previously so it can't be all that bad even with that scary bottom.

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[axismatt]

I read about them being built in Brazil, there was supposed to be someone from Nicholsons yard overseeing the build process which is a bit worrying. I also read that with the Nich version there was a lot of extra stiffening in the floor around the keel and all stress points for deck fittings etc.
I would imagine that if the keel/floor was that bad there would have been signs of damage in the 79 Fastnet Storm or even Keel loss. What year was she?

Thanks for the help.

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[boatless]

I have a vague recollection (and it is very vague and could well be wrong - see below!) that althought it was a pretty good looking boat, it earned itself a reputation for being difficult to control downwind. Anyone else? I wasn't sailing larger boats then, so I must have read it somewhere - if true.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[axismatt]

That was certainly true of the older IOR designs such as the UFO, Carter etc but she looking at the drawings she seems to have a fuller aft section and wider stern which on paper anyway should make her more stable downwind, right?

They must have been one of the first boats to have the liferaft stowed in a transom “garage‘, they aslo have a good sized double aft cabin and cockpit locker(s).

Thanks, I will try and look into it further.

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[30boat]

This one was probably an early 80s model but I'm not sure.

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[axismatt]

Re: Nicholson 345 Help (30 boat)

Hi 30 Boat, did you test sail the 345? If so how did you find she performed?

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