Nicholson 35, A Steal of a Bluewater Boat

Nicholson 35. Is it a bluewater bargain or just another old, heavy pocket cruiser from the 80s?

Explore this Nicholson 35 sailboat review featuring a full tour by Yacht Hunters. Discover why this Raymond Wall design is considered a premier offshore cruiser for under $30k, featuring robust Lloyd’s survey construction and a unique split-cockpit layout.

This video features Captain Q and Randy as they tour a 1973 Nicholson 35 sailboat currently for sale in Harpswell, Maine.

Facts:
Camper & Nicholsons, recognized as one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious yachting brands, began in 1782 with a shipyard in Gosport, England. Though rooted in the late 18th century, the partnership solidified in 1842 when Ben Nicholson joined William Camper, with the formal “Camper & Nicholsons” name establishing in 1863.

Key Facts about the Nicholson 35

• Designed by Raymond Wall for Camper & Nicholsons.
• LOA: 35’3″
• LWL: 26’9″
• Beam 10’5″
• Draft: 5’6″
• Displacement: 15,650lbs
• Ballast 7,300lbs

Seaworthiness

• Design: This boat features a unique split-cockpit design, a spoon bow for better performance in rough seas, and a hydraulic drive system that keeps the propeller protected behind the keel.
• Aries self-steering wind vane.
• Hull Construction: Many were built under Lloyds survey. The lead ballast is glassed into a deep keel cavity. The internal ballast and robust layup mean the boat can handle significant impacts or groundings that might compromise a bolt-on keel.
• Stiffness: Features a 42% ballast-to-displacement ratio with lead concentrated low in the keel. This high ratio results in a stiff boat that resists capsizing and handles heavy weather with a predictable motion.
• Equipped with low bulwarks, wide side decks, and heavy stainless steel “hairpin” chainplates. The bulwarks provide a physical sense of security when moving forward in a seaway, and the chainplate design is notoriously strong.

My Take on the Nicholson 35 as a Bluewater Sailboat

Key Design Elements for Voyaging

• The “Watch Seat”: One unique configuration includes a belowdecks watch seat. This allows a solo or shorthanded sailor to monitor the horizon from a dry, protected position near the companionway while under autopilot.
• Tankage Placement: The 70-gallon water tank is located under the cabin sole, directly on the boat’s longitudinal center of flotation. This keeps the weight low and central, preventing the “hobby-horsing” (pitching) that occurs when weight is stored in the bow or stern.
• Underwater Profile: Its moderate fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder provide a balance between maneuverability and protection. The skeg-mounted rudder is much less vulnerable to debris or grounding than a spade rudder.

While it may lack the “shippy” look of some traditional cruisers, its pedigree from a builder with 200 years of experience makes it a reliable choice for those looking to cross oceans rather than just hop between coastal marinas.

What do you think?

Would an older age with a great price be the right combo for you…if you wanted bluewater ability?

Compare it to a Caliber 40 with a price tag well over $150k…and the Nicholson 35 is a bargain for sure.

Drop a comment below.