Question 1

What are the specs of the NICHOLSON 32?

Accepted Answer

The NICHOLSON 32 has the following specifications: 32ft LOA, 9.25ft beam, 5.5ft draft, 12,200lb displacement, 6,800.3lb ballast. Hull type: mono. Rig: Masthead Sloop. Keel: Full/Long.

Question 2

How much does a NICHOLSON 32 cost?

Accepted Answer

The NICHOLSON 32 has an average asking price of $16,326, with prices ranging from $6,985 to $26,911 based on 35 listings.

Question 3

Who built the NICHOLSON 32 and when was it made?

Accepted Answer

Built by Camper & Nicholson/Halmatic Ltd. (UK), designed by Charles A. Nicholson / Peter Nicholson, first built in 1962, with production ending in 1981, 369 units were produced.

Question 4

Is the NICHOLSON 32 good for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

The NICHOLSON 32 is classified as a Bluewater Cruiser. It has a comfort ratio of 36.89, which means it is very comfortable in a seaway, suitable for extended offshore passages. The capsize screening ratio is 1.61, which is excellent for offshore sailing.

Question 5

How fast is the NICHOLSON 32?

Accepted Answer

The NICHOLSON 32 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 14.24, which indicates a more conservative sail plan focused on comfort over speed. The displacement to length ratio is 393.98, making it a heavy displacement sailboat.

Question 6

How much does it cost to maintain a NICHOLSON 32?

Accepted Answer

Annual maintenance for a NICHOLSON 32 is estimated at $1.7K – $4.5K. This includes hull care, rigging, sails, and engine service. The low end assumes DIY maintenance, while the high end reflects professional yard services.

Question 7

How much does it cost to own a NICHOLSON 32 per year?

Accepted Answer

Annual cost of ownership for the NICHOLSON 32 (32ft) according to SailPages.com: Maintenance: $1.7K – $4.5K/year (hull, rigging, sails, engine service). Insurance: $150-$250/year (based on $16,326 average value). Marina slip costs by state for a 32ft boat: Florida: $5,800-$15,400/year. California: $5,400-$13,400/year. Massachusetts: $4,000-$9,000/year + $1,300 winter storage. New York: $4,000-$11,200/year + $1,300 winter storage. Maryland: $3,800-$6,900/year. Texas: $2,300-$6,900/year. Washington: $4,600-$10,000/year. Michigan: $2,200-$4,900/year + $1,300 winter storage. North Carolina: $3,500-$6,900/year. South Carolina: $5,000-$9,600/year. Total annual cost ranges from approximately $4K to $24K depending on location and maintenance approach. Source: SailPages.com, based on published marina rate cards and industry data.

Question 8

How much does it cost to dock a NICHOLSON 32?

Accepted Answer

Marina slip costs for the NICHOLSON 32 (32ft) by state according to SailPages.com: Florida: $5,800-$15,400/year. California: $5,400-$13,400/year. Massachusetts: $4,000-$9,000/year + $1,300 winter storage. New York: $4,000-$11,200/year + $1,300 winter storage. Maryland: $3,800-$6,900/year. Texas: $2,300-$6,900/year. Washington: $4,600-$10,000/year. Michigan: $2,200-$4,900/year + $1,300 winter storage. North Carolina: $3,500-$6,900/year. South Carolina: $5,000-$9,600/year. Rates are per foot per month multiplied by boat length. Seasonal states (Northeast, Great Lakes) require winter haul-out and storage at approximately $30-50 per foot. Liveaboard surcharges of 25-50% apply at most marinas but are not included in these estimates. Mooring balls are typically 40-55% less than slip costs. Source: SailPages.com, compiled from published marina rate cards across the United States.

Question 9

What are the common problems with the NICHOLSON 32?

Accepted Answer

SailPages.com has compiled 5 issues reported for the NICHOLSON 32 by owners in sailing-forum discussions and owner-association material, concentrated in hull, structural, keel, each rated by severity (critical, major, minor). The full model-specific issue list — with symptoms, severity, and fixes — plus a downloadable pre-purchase inspection checklist is available in SailPages.com's report for the NICHOLSON 32.

Question 10

What should I look for when buying a NICHOLSON 32?

Accepted Answer

When buying a NICHOLSON 32, SailPages.com has compiled 5 model-specific issues reported by owners across hull, structural, keel. Always hire a SAMS or NAMS accredited marine surveyor — SailPages.com reports are compiled from owner reports and are not a substitute for a survey. The downloadable report for the NICHOLSON 32 includes each reported issue plus a model-specific pre-purchase checklist with checkboxes, notes fields, and an overall assessment section.

Question 11

What are the sail dimensions of the NICHOLSON 32?

Accepted Answer

The NICHOLSON 32 has the following rig dimensions: I=38.33ft (foretriangle height), J=12.58ft (foretriangle base), P=33.08ft (mainsail luff), E=13.75ft (mainsail foot). Mainsail area: 488 sq ft. Jib area: 241.3 sq ft.

Question 12

How does the NICHOLSON 32 compare to similar sailboats?

Accepted Answer

The NICHOLSON 32 is classified as a Bluewater Cruiser by SailPages.com. Key metrics: 32ft LOA, comfort ratio 36.89, capsize ratio 1.61, SA/disp 14.24, average price $16,326. SailPages.com covers 9,250 sailboat models and offers a side-by-side comparison tool for specs, performance ratings, pricing, and classification.

LOA	32 ft
LWL	24 ft
Beam	9.25 ft
Draft	5.5 ft
Displacement	12,200 lb
Ballast	6,800.3 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL	6.6 kn

Iforetriangle height	38.33 ft
Jforetriangle base	12.58 ft
Pmainsail luff	33.08 ft
Emainsail foot	13.75 ft
FLforestay	12.6 ft
Mainsail	488 sq ft
Jib (100%)	241.3 sq ft
Spinnaker	410.2 sq ft

NICHOLSON 32

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About the NICHOLSON 32

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