The Nicholson 45 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and respectable in club racing.
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 32.0′, the Nicholson 45 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.0′ LWL = 7.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
117s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
13.9
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Displacement / Length
336
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
39.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.64
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
39.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.64
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 45 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Nicholson 45
117s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Islander 44
120s/nm
Oyster 435
135s/nm
Shannon 43
141s/nm
Mason 43
146s/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° |
2.7 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.1 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.6 kts),
SA/D (13.9), 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 45 — 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 45.
|
Nicholson 45 |
Islander 44 |
Mason 43 |
Oyster 435 |
Peterson 44 Cutter |
Shannon 43 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
43.7 |
43.8 |
43.8 |
43.4 |
43.8 |
43.8 |
| LWL |
32.0 |
32.5 |
31.3 |
36.8 |
38.7 |
36.6 |
| Beam |
11.9 |
11.0 |
12.3 |
13.7 |
12.9 |
13.0 |
| Displacement |
24 |
22 |
25 |
29 |
30 |
27 |
| Ballast |
— |
8 |
8 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
| Sail Area |
730 |
813 |
771 |
— |
865 |
910 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
117 |
120 |
146 |
135 |
— |
141 |
| SA/Disp |
13.9 |
16.4 |
14.5 |
— |
14.4 |
16.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
35.6 |
33.6 |
37.9 |
33.3 |
37.0 |
| Comfort |
39.6 |
39.7 |
39.2 |
— |
38.2 |
35.4 |
| Capsize |
1.64 |
1.56 |
1.68 |
— |
1.67 |
1.74 |
| Hull Speed |
7.6 |
7.6 |
7.5 |
— |
8.3 |
8.1 |