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Nicholson 33 34 Ton
Designer: Ron Holland  ·  Builder: Camper & Nicholson Ltd. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1975
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About the Nicholson 33 34 Ton

Built by Camper & Nicholsons, one of Britain's most storied boatbuilders, the Nicholson 33 carries a reputation for quality construction and seaworthy design that has stood the test of time. Designed with offshore capability in mind, this classic British cruiser is well regarded among sailors who prioritise reliability and sea-keeping ability over outright speed or modern convenience. The Nicholson 33 reflects the conservative, capable design philosophy that defined British bluewater sailing in its era, offering a sturdy hull form suited to open-water passages and extended coastal cruising. Its heritage alone makes it an appealing choice for those who appreciate craftsmanship with a proven ocean pedigree, and examples have logged significant sea miles across demanding conditions worldwide. For a prospective buyer, the Nicholson 33 represents a serious cruising yacht with a loyal following and strong community support. Those considering one would be wise to focus surveys on the condition of the deck hardware, keel fastenings, and standing rigging, as with any vintage vessel. Its enduring appeal speaks to a design that was built to go places and do so with confidence.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.08 ft / 9.78 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.58 ft / 8.41 m
Beam 10.42 ft / 3.18 m
Max Draft 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 10,054.00 lb / 4,560 kg
Ballast 4,424.00 lb / 2,007 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ron Holland
Builder Camper & Nicholson Ltd. (UK)
First Built 1975
Last Built 1980
Number Built 69
Related Sailboats ["Contessa 32" · "Chance 32" · "Sabre 32" · "Ontario 32" · "Islander 32 3"]
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 44.0
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 213.95
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 6.16 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 17.09
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.20 ft / 4.33 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 496.00 ft² / 46.08 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
How It Compares

vs. Chance 32, Ontario 32, Sabre 32

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
32.1 ft
Chance 32
32.1 ft
Ontario 32
32.0 ft
Sabre 32
32.2 ft
LWL
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
27.6 ft
Chance 32
27.8 ft
Ontario 32
26.5 ft
Sabre 32
26.2 ft
Beam
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
10.4 ft
Chance 32
10.0 ft
Ontario 32
11.0 ft
Sabre 32
10.3 ft
Displacement
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
10 lbs
Chance 32
12 lbs
Ontario 32
9 lbs
Sabre 32
10 lbs
Ballast
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
4 lbs
Chance 32
4 lbs
Ontario 32
3 lbs
Sabre 32
4 lbs
Sail Area
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
—
Chance 32
—
Ontario 32
481 sq ft
Sabre 32
480 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
—
Chance 32
—
Ontario 32
177 s/nm
Sabre 32
150 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
—
Chance 32
—
Ontario 32
16.9
Sabre 32
16.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
44.0 %
Chance 32
38.9 %
Ontario 32
40.6 %
Sabre 32
39.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
—
Chance 32
—
Ontario 32
22.1
Sabre 32
25.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
—
Chance 32
—
Ontario 32
2.06
Sabre 32
1.89
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
213
Chance 32
251
Ontario 32
235
Sabre 32
261
Hull Speed
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
—
Chance 32
—
Ontario 32
6.9 kts
Sabre 32
6.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Nicholson 33 34 Ton ★
—
Chance 32
—
Ontario 32
2.3
Sabre 32
2.0
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