BoatsNicholson 1/2 Ton

Nicholson 1/2 Ton

Fractional Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · First built 1977

A Ron Holland-designed fractional sloop sharing its hull with the Nicholson 303, built for performance in Brazil

Designed by Ron Holland, built by Camper.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 16 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 16
CoastalBluewater

2.27 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.27
LightHeavy

175 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 175
EasygoingPowered-up

27.5 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 27.5
TenderStiff

52% of her weight is ballast — very stiff, carrying full sail in a blow.

Ballast 52%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
51.9%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
27.5
Displacement / length
175.3
Comfort ratio
15.7
Capsize screening
2.27
Hull speed
6.7 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
906
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Iron
Production
Years built
First built 1977
Units built
28
Designer
Ron Holland
Builder
Camper, Nicholson Ltd, Nicholsons

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Jeanneau Rush 319.13 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Ron Holland-designed IOR half-tonner that served as the official boat for the Tour de France à la Voile
Hinterhoeller 309.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA slender, George Hinterhoeller-designed masthead sloop built for performance and ease of handling since 1969
Spirit Yachts 30 (McMILLAN)9.15 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA lightweight, narrow-beam fractional sloop from Sean McMillan, designed for modern performance and classic aesthetics
Newport 30-19.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthThe original 1968 production run of this masthead sloop, featuring a fin keel and spade rudder for coastal sailing
Hunter Boats Horizon 309.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA David Thomas-designed fractional sloop with twin keels, offered in kit form for versatile shoal-water cruising
Newport 30-39.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA cruising-oriented evolution of the Newport 30 featuring standard wheel steering and diesel power.

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

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