BoatsNicholson 30 MKI

Nicholson 30 MKI

Masthead Sloop · Fin w/transom Hung Rudder · First built 1972

A Raymond Wall-designed masthead sloop with a fin keel and transom-hung rudder, built for performance since 1972

Designed by Camper, Nicholson & Raymond Wall, built by Robert Ives.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Fin w/transom Hung 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 moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 20 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 20
CoastalBluewater

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

Capsize screening 2.02
LightHeavy

198 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 198
EasygoingPowered-up

19.4 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 19.4

Powered-up and quick to accelerate — this one likes to sail.

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
19.4
Displacement / length
197.9
Comfort ratio
20.3
Capsize screening
2.02
Hull speed
6.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
889
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/transom hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1972
Units built
63
Designer
Camper, Nicholson, Raymond Wall
Builder
Robert Ives, 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.

Pearson Yachts 28-28.67 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA William Shaw-designed masthead sloop featuring a fin keel and spade rudder, built as a modern successor to the original 28
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i8.99 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA Marc Lombard-designed fractional sloop built for coastal cruising with a balanced, modern hull form.
Sunbeam 298.95 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Schoechl-designed masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio, built for performance over two decades
C&C Yachts 30-29.12 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA performance-oriented masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, designed by C&C for balanced club racing
Jeanneau Aquila 278.70 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe H. Harle-designed masthead sloop offered in both standard and deep-keel Regatta configurations
Ranger Yachts 29 (Mull)8.71 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1970s masthead sloop with a skeg-hung rudder, offering a balanced 1.98 capsize screening for coastal cruising

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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