The brief called for a small cruising yacht capable of making passages in any conditions a crew might encounter in coastal or deep-water cruising. She also needed enough displacement to carry the equipment and stores required for extended voyaging, while providing suitable accommodation. Production was overseen by the late Jeremy Lines, and only around 120 boats were built. The Nicholson 31 Association formed in 2004, twenty-eight years after the first launch.
Design and Construction
The Nicholson 31 measures 30 feet 7 inches overall, with a 24 foot 2 inch waterline, a beam of 10 feet 3 inches, a 5 foot draft, and a displacement of nearly 13,000 pounds. Period reviews describe a pretty sheerline, a gently curved stem, slight tumblehome aft, and a businesslike transom-hung rudder. Together with the long keel, that rudder appealed to single-handers.
Construction is conventional hand-laid GRP to Lloyd's specifications, with balsa-cored decks and coachroof and encapsulated lead ballast. Much of the interior—including the galley, heads, and furniture bases—is formed from moulded modules bonded to the hull and allied to the stringers and frames. The result is a very strong unit. Reviewers considered the Nicholson 31 very solidly built, while Yachtsnet described her as massively strongly built compared with almost all modern production yachts.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
The Nicholson 31 is a masthead sloop carrying about 624 square feet of sail. The design emphasizes comfort and seakindliness rather than outright speed, though she’s no sluggard. She is faster in almost all conditions than the Nicholson 32 she replaced, but she is slightly underrigged compared with similar sailboats and offers modest performance in light air.
Test sailors found that she could be controlled and tacked easily under mainsail alone, making this a useful option for close-quarters manoeuvring. If they left the helm, she would slowly luff up, tack, sail off, and repeat the process, virtually marking time over the same spot.
With two rolls in the main and the No. 1 jib set on a beam reach, she sailed happily at about 6 knots. Even when overcanvased in gusts, she showed only a little weather helm. Her weight carried her through a short, stopping sea at a steady 4 knots, and she remained well balanced when laid well over. She could also steer herself for long periods. Reviewers found her surprisingly dry, with little more than an occasional splash reaching the weather deck.
The long keel contributes to her steady, easily managed character, but the 5 foot draft limits marina access compared with shoal-draft cruisers.
Accommodation and Stowage
Below, the Nicholson 31 is entirely traditional, with extensive teak trim and joinery. The saloon looks snug at first because the settees sit well inboard to leave room for stowage. Aligned with the centreline and fitted with trotter boxes, however, they make good seaberths.
A useful pilot berth to port faces a bank of overhead lockers to starboard. There is also a vast amount of stowage outboard of and beneath the settees, as well as in the forepeak. The chart table is separated from the saloon by a bulkhead fitted with a bookshelf and instruments. Aft of the chart table is a quarter berth that is comfortable at sea.
The galley is to port. Between the saloon and fore cabin, the heads compartment has a sea toilet to port and a basin to starboard. The fore cabin contains a vee berth, and headroom is excellent for a boat of this size.
Systems, Equipment, and Ownership
The 65-gallon water tank forms part of the keel moulding. The 17-gallon fuel tank sits beneath the cockpit floor, while the batteries are below the quarter berth—an arrangement worth understanding when planning systems work.
Hydrovane self-steering gear was available as a factory option and was considered adequate for the boat. Many Nicholson 31s are seen with self-steering gear, reflecting the model’s role as a serious long-distance cruiser.
With only around 120 built, finding a Nicholson 31 can take patience. The Nicholson 31 Association has supported the class since 2004.
Verdict
The Nicholson 31 fulfils her intended role as a comfortable, easily handled cruiser of the go-anywhere variety. She was designed for serious seagoing work rather than marina daysailing and is faster in almost all conditions than the Nicholson 32 she replaced. Strong construction, steady handling, traditional accommodation, and extensive stowage make her practical for extended voyaging.
Pros
- Massively strong, hand-laid GRP construction with encapsulated lead ballast and balsa-cored decks
- Easy to handle under mainsail alone, well balanced, and dry in short seas
- Traditional and spacious below, with excellent stowage and a proper seagoing quarter berth
Cons
- Slightly underrigged compared with similar sailboats, with modest light-air performance
- Long keel and 5 foot draft restrict marina access compared with shoal-draft cruisers
- Only around 120 were built, so finding one takes patience
