Back to Search
Nicholson 36
Designer: Charles A. Nicholson/ Peter Nicholson  ·  Builder: Camper & Nicholson  ·  First built: 1960
+ Add to Compare
About the Nicholson 36

Built by the prestigious British yard Camper & Nicholson starting in 1960, this classic yacht represents the refined design philosophy of Charles A. Nicholson and Peter Nicholson during the early modern era of fiberglass construction. With only 26 hulls produced, the Nicholson 36 stands as an exclusive example of traditional British yacht design adapted to contemporary materials. The boat's substantial 16,850-pound displacement and moderate comfort ratio of 44.65 suggest excellent seaworthiness for extended coastal cruising and offshore passages. Her fin keel configuration provides good windward performance while maintaining the stability characteristics valued by serious cruising sailors. The masthead sloop rig offers straightforward sail handling and proven reliability in varied conditions. Notable for her robust construction and classic proportions, this yacht appeals to sailors seeking a vessel with genuine offshore capability and timeless aesthetics. The generous beam of 9.50 feet provides comfortable interior volume, while the nearly 6-foot draft ensures solid tracking and reduced leeway when sailing to windward. Her capsize screening value of 1.48 falls well within accepted parameters for ocean voyaging, making her suitable for ambitious coastal and offshore adventures where traditional seamanship and proven design take precedence over pure performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 36.25 ft / 11.05 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
Beam 9.50 ft / 2.90 m
Max Draft 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 16,850.00 lb / 7,643 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 565.00 ft² / 52.49 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Charles A. Nicholson/ Peter Nicholson
Builder Camper & Nicholson
First Built 1960
Number Built 26
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
13.81
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
427.99
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
44.65
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.48
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.83 kn
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. 882.56 pounds/inch
Find a Nicholson 36 For Sale