Built by the prestigious Camper & Nicholson yard from 1962 to 1981, this classic masthead sloop represents traditional British yacht design at its finest. With 369 hulls launched over nearly two decades, the Nicholson 32 earned a solid reputation among cruising sailors seeking a robust, seaworthy vessel. The design showcases quintessential long keel characteristics that define classic cruising yachts. Her substantial displacement of 12,200 pounds, combined with 6,800 pounds of ballast, creates exceptional stability and sea-kindly motion in challenging conditions. The long keel configuration provides excellent directional stability and forgiving handling, making her particularly well-suited for offshore passages and extended coastal cruising. Charles and Peter Nicholson's design philosophy emphasized seaworthiness over speed, evident in the boat's impressive comfort ratio of 36.89 and conservative capsize screening value of 1.61. These numbers indicate a yacht that prioritizes safety and crew comfort during long passages. The fiberglass construction ensures durability while maintaining the classic aesthetic lines that Nicholson designs are renowned for. With her moderate sail area and traditional rig, this yacht appeals to sailors who value reliability and sea-keeping ability over racing performance, making her an excellent choice for serious cruising adventures.
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What is the Nicholson 32's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Nicholson 32 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 14.24. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Nicholson 32's comfort ratio?
The Nicholson 32 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 36.89. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Nicholson 32 safe for offshore sailing?
The Nicholson 32 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.61. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Nicholson 32?
The theoretical hull speed of the Nicholson 32 is 6.56 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Nicholson 32 weigh?
The Nicholson 32 has a displacement of 12,200.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 32.00 ft.
Who designed the Nicholson 32?
The Nicholson 32 was designed by Charles A. Nicholson / Peter Nicholson, first built in 1962.