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.

Maxi Yachts Fenix 8.58.50 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA 1980s cruiser with a 1.5-metre bulb keel and spade rudder, designed for a balanced, stable coastal experience
Jeanneau Rush 319.13 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA Ron Holland-designed IOR half-tonner that served as the official boat for the Tour de France à la Voile
Jeanneau Aquila 278.70 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe H. Harle-designed masthead sloop offered in both standard and deep-keel Regatta configurations
Watkins Yachts 278.23 mSame hull family0.6 m shorterA masthead sloop with a skeg-hung rudder, offered in rare pilot house and keel-centerboard configurations
Pearson Yachts 27 (Triton 27)8.23 mSame hull family0.6 m shorterA Doug Peterson-influenced masthead sloop built from US Yachts molds, offering a light-displacement cruiser profile
Islander Yachts 288.51 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA Robert Perry-designed masthead sloop with over 400 built, favored by the designer himself for her balanced performance

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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