Nicholson 31
Masthead Sloop · Long Keel w/trans. Hung Rudder · 1976–1980
A Folkboat-inspired long-distance cruiser by Raymond Wall, designed for stability and single-handed passage making
Designed by Raymond Wall, built by Camper.
- LOA
- Beam
- Draft (max)
- Displacement
- Ballast
- Hull type
- Long Keel w/trans. Hung Rudder
See her sail
The Nicholson 31, on the water
The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.
Footage from Sailing Gently
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
LivelyComfort 35Sea-kindly
CoastalCapsize 1.74Bluewater
LightD/L 411Heavy
EasygoingSA/D 14.0Powered-up
TenderBallast 37%Stiff
Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.
The living fleet
Sailed by the fleet
Where the fleet has filmed this boat.
The record
Full specifications
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
36.9%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
14.0
Displacement / length
411.2
Comfort ratio
35.0
Capsize screening
1.74
Hull speed
6.6 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
881
Hull
Hull type
Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1976–1980
Units built
119
Designer
Raymond Wall
Builder
Camper, Nicholson Ltd, Nicholsons
Boats like this, on the water
More boats like her, on the water
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.
Rustler 319.58 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA heavy-displacement masthead sloop with a long keel, evolved from the North Sea 24 and sharing lineage with the Twister 31
Beneteau Evasion 329.70 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA long-keeled masthead ketch that launched the Evasion line and marked a new era for Beneteau
Alden 32 Motor Sailer9.60 mSame hull family0.3 m longerOriginally known as the Winsome Class, this masthead sloop features a long keel and was available in both sloop and ketch
Allied Boat Co. Seawind9.30 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Thomas Gillmer-designed masthead ketch with a long keel, marking both the beginning and the end of the Allied Boat Co.
Pacific Seacraft Orion 279.42 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA heavy-displacement cutter designed by Henry Mohrschladt for offshore stability and traditional long-keel handling
Sea Sprite 309.20 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 9.2-metre cruiser with a 41% ballast ratio, delivering a stiff and steady motion for coastal passages
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.
Nicholson 32A long-running production classic with a 55% ballast ratio, built over two decades for steady offshore passage makingNicholson 30 MKIA Raymond Wall-designed masthead sloop with a fin keel and transom-hung rudder, built for performance since 1972Nicholson 35-1A Ray Wall-designed masthead sloop built for offshore stability with a heavy ballast ratio and skeg-hung rudderNicholson 42A 12.75-metre masthead sloop with a moderate 1.68-metre draft, balancing offshore capability with coastal accessibilityNicholson 30 MKIIA Raymond Wall-designed masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance
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