The Nicholson 32, a heavy displacement long-keeled masthead sloop, was designed by Charles Nicholson & Peter Nicholson and built in the UK by Camper & Nicholson Ltd.
Underwater Profile: Long keel
Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall: 32'0" / 9.8m
Waterline Length: 24.0" / 7.3m
Beam: 9'3" / 2.8m
Draft: 5'6" / 1.7m
Rig Type: Masthead sloop
Displacement: 12,200lb / 5,534kg
Designer: Charles Nicholson & Peter Nicholson
Builder: Camper & Nicholson Ltd (UK)
Year First Built: 1962
Year Last Built: 1981
Number Built: 369
Owners Association: The Nicholson 32 Association
1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 14.2
2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 55.7
3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 394
4. Comfort Ratio: 36.9
5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.6
Performance Predictions, Based on the Design Ratios
These ratios indicate that the Nicholson 32 is a heavy and stable boat, with a low sail area to displacement ratio and a high ballast to displacement ratio. This means that the boat is not very fast or responsive, but it can carry a lot of weight and resist heeling and capsizing. The boat is also relatively narrow and deep, which reduces drag and increases directional stability.
Production Period and Numbers Produced
The Nicholson 32 was one of the first sailboats to be built entirely out of fiberglass, using a technique called monocoque construction. This means that the hull, deck, ballast, bulkheads and furniture were all bonded together to form a strong and rigid structure. The boat was built by Halmatic Ltd and Camper & Nicholsons in the UK, from 1963 to 1981.
The boat went through several modifications and improvements over the years, resulting in 11 different models or marks (Mk I to Mk XI). The most significant changes were made in the Mk X model, which introduced a higher freeboard, a lower coachroof, a larger cockpit, a centerline companionway and a redesigned interior.
The total number of Nicholson 32s produced was 369, making it one of the most successful production boats of its time. Many of them are still sailing today, and some have completed remarkable voyages around the world.
Alternative Versions & Options
The interior layout of the Nicholson 32 was subject to variations and options over the years. The original design had four berths (two in the forepeak and two in the saloon), a galley on the port side, a chart table on the starboard side, and a head (toilet) in between. Later models added more berths (such as a pilot berth or a pull-out double), more storage space (such as lockers or drawers), more headroom (by raising the coachroof or lowering the cabin sole), and more amenities (such as an oven or a fridge).
Number & Location of Sleeping Berths
The number and location of sleeping berths on the Nicholson 32 depended on the model and the owner's preference. The original design had four berths: two in the forepeak and two in the saloon. The forepeak berths were V-shaped and could be converted into a double berth with an infill. The saloon berths were single and could be used as seats during the day. The boat also had a large cockpit that could accommodate two more people under a sprayhood or a tent.
Later models added more berths, such as:
The maximum number of berths on the Nicholson 32 was six, but most owners preferred to have four or five for comfort and space.
History of the Boatbuilder
The Nicholson 32 was built by two renowned boatbuilding companies in the UK, Halmatic Ltd and Camper & Nicholsons:
Secondhand Values
The Nicholson 32 is a classic boat that has retained its value over the years. The price of a secondhand Nicholson 32 depends on many factors, such as:
According to some online sources, the average price range of a secondhand Nicholson 32 is between £10,000 and £30,000 (or between $14,000 and $42,000).
The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.
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