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 minorirritations 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.J
ack started sailing in the
family’s Westerly Konsort
as a teenager and now,
at 28, the passing of his
grandma has left him with
a windfall to add to what he’s been
saving for – to sail around the world.
Along with the savings from his
girlfriend Mina, who shares his dream,
the couple have a conservative budget
of £45,000 and expect to pay around
£35K for the boat, leaving £10K for
refitting and essential bluewater cruising
equipment such as windvane self-
steering, solar panels, wind generator,
new batteries and modern navigation
instrumentation
including radar,
AIS and an EPIRB.
While there are
plenty of 30-35ft
cruising yachts
currently on the
market, many
of them are tired
and need new
standing rigging,
sails and engine.
That said, there
are good boats
out there that
have been loved
and looked after.
Those that are
well used have
most likely been
well maintained too, so don’t be put
off by yachts that have crossed oceans
or even circumnavigated before, as
their owners will have had to keep
them properly seaworthy.
Some might consider 30-35ft too
small for world cruising, but that has
been disproved over the years. Bigger
might be better for coastal cruising
with friends, but maintenance costs
rise exponentially with every extra foot.
A boat this size should be more than
enough to carry this young couple off
on the adventures of which they dream.NICHOLSON 35
A pretty shear and well-
balanced overhangs typify
the now-classic Nic 35Duncan Kent, yacht
tester for 25 years,
presents a selection
of older yachts
capable of sailing
round the worldFIND ME A...
30 - 35ft circumnavigator
FOR £35£45K
PRICE £20£35,000 YEAR 19711985
Sadler 34
Rival 36
Vancouver 32
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA 10.76m (35ft 3in)
LWL 8.20m (26ft 9in)
BEAM 3.20m (10ft 5in)
DRAUGHT 1.70m (5ft 6in)
DISPLACEMENT
8,013kg (17,630lb)
DESIGNER
Camper & Nicholsons
BUILDER Camper & Nicholsons
OWNERS ASSOCIATION N/A