Design and Construction
The Nicholson 35 measures 35 ft 3 in overall, with a 26 ft 9 in waterline and a beam of 10 ft 5 in. Displacement is about 17,600 lb, including roughly 7,300 lb of lead ballast—a 41 to 42 percent ballast ratio. The lead is concentrated low in the molded keel, making her reasonably stiff by any measure.
The lead casting is dropped into a molded keel cavity and heavily glassed over. Nicholsons were early adopters of isophthalic polyester, though on this model it appears only in the gelcoat. Some hulls were built under Lloyds survey, but not all.
The shroud chainplates are heavy stainless-steel “hairpins,” bolted just inboard of the low bulwarks; Lloyds approves the installation. A bridgedeck protects the companionway. However, the high coamings mean the cockpit could fill nearly to the hatch in a serious pooping. Later boats add flapper-protected transom pipe scuppers alongside the large cockpit scuppers.
Teak decks were optional but rarely ordered. The original deck gear was robust, and forty-year-old winches and tracks still survive. Later models often convert the deep cool box to separate fridge and freezer. The molded non-skid is only so-so.
Rig and Handling
The Nicholson 35 has a simple masthead sloop rig with double lower shrouds and single airfoil spreaders. The tapered, anodized Proctor mast is foam-filled to deaden sound. Working sail area is divided almost evenly between the foretriangle and mainsail. Standard equipment includes Lewmar 40 or 43 jib-sheet winches and mast-mounted halyard winches. Early boats have roller-reefing booms, while later examples use slab reefing.
Yachting Monthly found that her overhanging, deep-V bow parts seas resolutely and throws little spray. The conservative sail plan and generous ballast keep her stiff until Force 5, and she can carry full sail past 20 knots. The large genoa makes headsail sheeting hard work, and she tacks at a leisurely pace compared with a shorter-fin yacht. In return, she makes steady passages through rough water.
The propeller’s position on the back of the keel makes close-quarters maneuvering difficult, especially astern.
Accommodations
Headroom exceeds six feet throughout, and long windows keep the main cabin light. In the forward cabin, the V-berths stop short of a point, leaving useful foot room. On many boats, however, a vertical chain pipe between the berths complicates conversion to a double. Ventilation is also poor.
A full-width head separates the forward cabin from the saloon. To starboard is a U-shaped dinette with a permanent drop-leaf table. Early boats have white melamine bulkheads; later examples use teak veneer. Padded vinyl hull liners appear throughout.
The saloon settee originally had a pilot berth outboard, though many owners removed it to gain stowage. All berths came with lee cloths as standard.
The galley includes a small sink, a five-cubic-foot icebox, and a standard gimbaled two-burner Flavel propane stove supplied by a paltry 10 lb supply.
A navigation station occupies the port aft quarter and was offered in two layouts. The aft-facing arrangement replaces the quarterberth with a cockpit locker and adds a raised watch seat beside the companionway.
Engines and Systems
Early Nicholson 35s used a Perkins or Westerbeke 4-107. The early reverse-mount engine had hydraulic drive. Later boats received a smaller Westerbeke L-25 or a marinized Volkswagen Rabbit, with the engine moved aft beneath the cockpit and connected through a V-drive.
Engine access is poor with both arrangements. On V-drive boats fitted with a quarterberth, the front of the engine can be reached through the berth. Spares for the early reverse-mounted engine with hydraulic drive are becoming difficult to source.
Battery capacity increased from two 90 Ah batteries to two 128 Ah batteries, paired with a 60-amp alternator. Early boats have a molded water tank of about 70 gallons, filled from inside because there is no deck fill.
Known Issues
Poor engine access is the Nicholson 35’s main practical weakness, compounded on early boats by dwindling support for the hydraulic drivetrain. Forward ventilation is also weak. It relies on a low-profile Tannoy hatch ventilator that moves little air.
Other dated details include the inside water-tank fill on early boats, white melamine bulkheads, and only so-so molded non-skid. Close-quarters handling can be awkward, particularly astern.
The Verdict
The Nicholson 35 is a sea-kindly, heavily built, medium-displacement cruiser. Her low ballast and deep bilge suit offshore work, while her practical accommodations work well for a couple. Her main drawbacks are poor engine access and the increasingly limited support for the early drivetrain.
Pros
- Stiff, stable hull with low-placed lead ballast and Lloyds-approved chainplates
- Deep, protective cockpit with a molded dodger coaming
- Standard lee cloths and practical cruising accommodations for a couple
Cons
- Poor engine access; spares support for the early hydraulic drive is increasingly limited
- Weak forward-cabin ventilation and awkward close-quarters handling astern
- Some early details, including melamine finishes and an inside water fill, are dated for modern cruising
