Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.6′, the Nicholson 33 34 Ton tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.6′ LWL = 7.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
44.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
214
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
7.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
6lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Nicholson 33 34 Ton sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Sabre 32
Contessa 32
Ontario 32
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Nicholson 33 34 Ton.
| Nicholson 33 34 Ton | Chance 32 | Contessa 32 | Islander 32 3 | Ontario 32 | Sabre 32 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 32.1 | 32.1 | 32.0 | 32.0 | 32.0 | 32.2 |
| LWL | 27.6 | 27.8 | 24.0 | 25.0 | 26.5 | 26.2 |
| Beam | 10.4 | 10.0 | 9.5 | 11.1 | 11.0 | 10.3 |
| Displacement | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Ballast | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Sail Area | — | 459 | 433 | 475 | 481 | 480 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | 174 | — | 177 | 150 |
| SA/Disp | — | 14.0 | 15.5 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 16.1 |
| Bal/Disp | 44.0 | 38.9 | 47.4 | 40.0 | 40.6 | 39.1 |
| Comfort | — | 29.8 | 27.7 | 24.3 | 22.1 | 25.9 |
| Capsize | — | 1.75 | 1.80 | 2.03 | 2.06 | 1.89 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.1 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 6.9 |