NICHOLSON 35
PRICE £20-£35,000 YEAR 1971-1985
Now somewhat legendary, the tough and dependable Nicholson 35 first appeared in 1971 and between then and 1985, some 228 boats were launched. Built to Lloyds’ specifications with a hand-laid solid GRP hull, she boasts a fully encapsulated lead fin keel and full-depth skeg. She has an alluring sheer with nicely balanced overhangs, giving her bows a powerful go-anywhere look, while her low-profile coachroof blends pleasingly into the decks.
Compared to today’s modern cruiser, the Nic 35’s accommodation is somewhat limited due to her relatively narrow beam and pinched ends, but what there is has been used intelligently and makes for a good working environment on long passages.
The need to pass through the heads to reach the forecabin can be inconvenient with guests on board but for two people cruising, these minor irritations are more than compensated for with the high quality and solidity of the fittings and joinery, and the availability of safe sea berths on passage.
The main saloon is comfortable with 1.88m/6ft 2in headroom. A U-shaped dinette makes a narrow but long double in port and the 1.92m/6ft 4in-long starboard settee a great sea berth, although many were fitted with one or two pilot berths above the settee backs instead of lockers. The galley boasts a huge coolbox, full-size gimballed cooker, deep sink and plenty of stowage. A crash bar, bum strap and bulkhead pole make it a great working galley at sea. Opposite is a large aft-facing chart table with instrument mounting space on a half bulkhead separating it from the watch seat and wet locker further aft. A few boats had a forward-facing chart table and roomy quarterberth instead.
The watertanks are under the sole above the keel, not under the saloon settees as with many modern craft. Small portlights and hatches mean natural light and ventilation might not be so plentiful as on a newer boat, but then there is less opportunity for leaks.
Her cockpit is business-like – not over wide but with high coamings to support the crew securely and keep them dry. She also has a high bridge deck to stop water going below should a wave find its way into the cockpit and very deep cockpit lockers.
The mainsheet track is within reach of the helmsman, just forward of the pedestal, but getting to the primaries entails climbing over the seats from behind the wheel.
Her masthead sloop rig has a keelstepped mast and is stout and uncomplicated, with twin lower shrouds and a removable inner forestay for a storm jib. Post-1975 models had a taller mast option (51ft as opposed to 45ft) , increasing the sail area considerably. No doubt most will now have the control lines led aft into the cockpit for safer shorthanded sailing.
Under sail, the Nic comes into her own. She has a very positive helm, although she can be prone to weather helm if overpressed. Her performance under sail is well mannered and drama free, although her large (145%) genoa can take some sheeting in (don’t leave the inner forestay on). Her high bows part the waves with a gentle motion and her deep, longish keel keeps her tracking dead straight in a following sea. She won’t break any speed records, averaging around 5 knots on a long passage, but she’ll always get you there safely and in comfort.