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Performance

Nicholson 58 Performance

How the Nicholson 58 performs on the water — racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

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The Nicholson 58 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

9.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 46.9′, the Nicholson 58 tops out around 9.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √46.9′ LWL = 9.2 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
16.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
42.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.66
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
9.2kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
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
42.2
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
1.66
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 58 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Swan 59 21s/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° 3.6 4.6 5.1 5.3
Close Reach60° 4.4 5.5 6.2 6.4
Beam Reach90° 5.4 6.8 7.6 7.9
Broad Reach120–135° 5.0 6.3 7.0 7.3
Run150–180° 4.0 5.0 5.6 5.8
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (9.2 kts), SA/D (16.7), 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 58 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts 7–20 kts 20–28 kts 28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 58.

Nicholson 58 Baltic 58 Little Harbor 57 Little Harbor 58 Oyster 56 Swan 59
Dimensions
LOA 57.6 58.5 56.7 58.0 57.3 58.7
LWL 46.9 47.6 47.3 47.8 47.5 48.2
Beam 15.6 16.6 16.8 16.2 16.2 16.4
Displacement 53 41 54 66 57 62
Ballast 20 18 22 19 17 22
Sail Area 1 1 1 — 1 —
Performance
PHRF — — — — — 21
SA/Disp 16.7 21.6 17.9 — 15.3 —
Bal/Disp — 43.2 — — — 36.5
Comfort 42.2 30.3 39.1 49.3 43.2 45.3
Capsize 1.66 1.91 1.78 1.60 1.68 1.66
Hull Speed 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.3 9.2 9.3