Yachting Monthly - July 2018

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 keel-
stepped 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

The cockpit is deep and

secure, if a little confined

by modern standards

A C-shaped settee and an

aft-facing chart table make

for a seaworthy saloon

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 over-

pressed. 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.

FIND ME A...