The Nicholson 36 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a gentle bluewater motion.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 26.0′, the Nicholson 36 tops out around 6.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.0′ LWL = 6.8 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
13.8
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Displacement / Length
428
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
44.7
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.48
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
883lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
44.7
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.48
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Nicholson 36 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Lancer 36
131s/nm
Catalina 36
138s/nm
Cape Dory 36
165s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.5 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.8 kts),
SA/D (13.8), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Nicholson 36 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Nicholson 36.
|
Nicholson 36 |
Cape Dory 36 |
Catalina 36 |
Lancer 36 |
Ohlson 36 Mkii |
Seafarer 36C |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.3 |
36.1 |
36.3 |
36.2 |
36.3 |
36.3 |
| LWL |
26.0 |
27.0 |
30.3 |
29.0 |
25.7 |
26.3 |
| Beam |
9.5 |
10.7 |
11.9 |
11.8 |
9.7 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
16 |
16 |
13 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
| Ballast |
— |
6 |
6 |
4 |
— |
5 |
| Sail Area |
565 |
622 |
545 |
558 |
— |
506 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
165 |
138 |
131 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
13.8 |
15.7 |
15.4 |
18.7 |
— |
12.6 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
37.6 |
44.4 |
38.1 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
44.7 |
35.7 |
24.0 |
19.6 |
35.0 |
37.7 |
| Capsize |
1.48 |
1.69 |
2.01 |
2.15 |
1.63 |
1.66 |
| Hull Speed |
6.8 |
7.0 |
7.4 |
7.2 |
6.8 |
6.9 |