Nicholson 38 Opinions

[jonjo]

Would anyone in this forum venture an opinion about the Nicholson 38, I am thinking of buying one at present. It is a ketch Motor-Sailer from the 70's with a deep centre cockpit.

The 662 sq.ft sail area should be enough to drive 7 tons on a 27 ft waterline? I am a sailing yachtsman at heart but I think a semi-enclosed wheelhouse allows a cruising crew to keep in contact with the world in wet conditions both in harbour and at sea.

Some pictures...

http://images.yachtworld.com/9/4/4/944134_4.jpg

http://images.yachtworld.com/8/5/2/852416_3.jpg

 

[byron]

You kidding? Even a Stinkpotter like me knows thats a boat with class.

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My wife has not given me permission to express any opinion here

 

[ponapay]

I have a Nich 38 from 1970.

Apart from being very slightly low on sail power the boat is a delight. We have sailed many thousands of miles throughout Europe, mostly north of 58 degrees and east of 8 degrees west. She has never let us down and I would not look for another boat to replace her, when she gets tired we will renovate her fully.

The only changes we have made are to replace the old gas powered water heater with a calorifier, fitted in mast reefing on the main (probably a mistake from the power point of view, but excellent from the ease of handling aspect), we have also added a new engine and propeller (Volvo MD22 - bought and fitted in Scandinavia at 65% of UK price).

If you want any more info or pictures e-mail me at ponapay@aol.com

Ian

 

[jonjo]

Apologies for the slow reply, I was away this weekend inspecting a Nic 38 for sale.

I still feel positive about the design having now seen the real thing. I am under 40 and assume the sailing characteristics will disappoint at times but in most other respects I think the design is highly versatile, it is ideal for sailing with young children, long distance cruising around Europe and much later it would be suitable for a couple's retirement sailing. With this yacht purchase I am taking a long-term view that a Nicholson 38 will see me through the next 30 years

Following the weekend inspection I returned home with a few worries:

1 - It seems to me that in a 90% knockdown, water could flow through the aft 35% of the hull with little restriction. Ian, given your extensive cruising in challenging waters you must have considered this issue?

2 - There is a recurring weakness with the rudder construction that I need to understand fully.

3 - The small 7ft main cabin does not feel right. Given a clean sheet design I would prefer a long galley opposite the dining table, the navigation station shifted onto the port side aft of the galley and a full U shaped settee stretched into the current nav station area.

 

[ponapay]

I have sailed for over 54 years and am now 60. The boats I have sailed have varied from dinghies of many varieties to large open yawls and to 12 ton Hillyards 6 ton Twister types and a host of plastic moderns.

We have not had a problem with the rudder but I do know of a friend who had to do some work whilst on a circumnavigation, I believe it delayed him 5 days in Gibraltar. They are now in the Red Sea heading north and have had no further problems.

As to a knockdown e have never been anywhere near it in the Nich 38. In force 10 we sailed under tiny main and heavily rolled genoa and still made to windward (just but only on one tack). We have never taken in more than one gallon through the cockpit and the previous owner reported to me likewise.

Our greatest concern has been the depth of the bilge and the quantity of water it can hold, so we have fitted extra pumps to cope with that. We have two hand pumps and one large flow electric pump all pumping from the bilge sump in the aft cabin (4 feet deep).

The previous owner removed the shaft brake and we have not found that a drawback. We lock the shaft with a bar on long trips (the start key fits into the bar so we cannot start the engine without removing the bar), but for normal coast sailing we select reverse to lock the shaft.

The main saloon is no problem for us, but we usually sail with 4 max on board for any length of time and with 2 most of the time.

Others have removed the aft heads and converted it to a hanging locker and the port bunk to storage space. We have converted the starboard aft bunk to a small double and use the aft heads as general storage. We have fitted (not yet complete) a small holding tank under the main cabin cross berth.

Guests tend to have the option of using the saloon double or the fore end, most use the fore end.

We have three anchors, a CQR 55lb bower with 40 fathoms 5/16 cable, a CQR 35 lb second bower and a 15Kg Bruce stern anchor (with 15m 3/16 cable and 80m warp). The latter is used as a lunch hook and we have never needed the second bower other than for practice.

We have been out in all weather an have noted that when the weather gets bad the Nicholson 38 easily overhauls other boats because she holds her canvas well. In light airs she is very heavy.

Handling in marinas in a strong cross wind can be tricky, we tend to plan well and use the mizzen to help her turn. Some have fitted bow thrusters but there is very little space. Handling astern is just as bad as all long keelers most old designers will tell you that they designed boats to sail ahead not to power astern!

Hope this helps.

Ian

 

[chippie]

While I like what I see in your pictures,your stating that you want it for the next 30 years makes me aware that it is already a somewhat dated design (very large overhangs etc.)and will be truly old by then. Of course there is nothing to hold you to that intention if your needs change,but given that you feel it/they are less than ideal in some respects why not consider some other marques before taking the plunge.
All my opinion of course.
Good luck.

 

[RacePassage]

A rather belated response. We have a Nich 38, hull 117 (1973) and delighted with the performance to date.We bought her in Vancouver B.C in 1995 and up to last year cruised the Pacific N.W. Having an enclosed CENTRE cockpit is a definite bonus.Last year we cruised to Mexico where she is presently in dry storage. We intend to continue the passage in the fall. Canal-E coast U.S- U.K.
Replacements : Autopilot. sails.standing & running rigging.
Installed\replaced. Hydrovane.radar.gps.Holding tank in cockpit, port locker.
It was necessary to do an osmosis job but the 25 years antifouling had to be removed anyway
The main F>W>tank also had osmosis so inserted a custom bladder from a Southampton coy.
On the leg Vancouver\San Francisco with cont. quarter wind weather force 6-7 the boat remained dry and comfortable, a 7 day transit.
We removed the dinghy davits and now carry an inflatable forward. Oh yes , we included a 'solent' forestay to carry a reefable inner foresail. (we never used it)
On another note , if you did buy the boat I need to know the size of packing for the stern tube and rudder shaft. Can you assist
Rgds Roger