BoatsNicholson 31

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.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a moderate beam gives 35 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 35
CoastalBluewater

1.74 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.74
LightHeavy

411 — very heavy for her waterline, a serious load-carrying cruiser.

Displacement / length 411
EasygoingPowered-up

14.0 — modest power for her weight; easygoing rather than lively, and happier with a breeze.

Sail area / displacement 14.0
TenderStiff

37% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 37%

Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.

What the fleet has seen

The Nicholson 31, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Nicholson 31 is a 9.3-meter masthead sloop designed by Raymond Wall and built by Camper, Nicholson Ltd. from 1976 to 1980. This long-keel sailboat with a transom-hung rudder was designed as a Folkboat type, replacing the Nicholson 32, and appealed to serious long-distance cruisers and single-handers. It displaces 5899 kg, has a 3.1-meter beam, and draws 1.5 meters.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

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
Air Tools: The Secret to a Perfect Finish | Practical Boat Owner0:07from practicalboatowner
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
The Cheapest Sailboat That's Actually A Perfect Cruiser 👌0:05from Reversing Entropy
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
OPB: 1969 Alden 32 Tour and Sail - msvLaReina (October 2025)0:04from keeldragger
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.
Sailing Channel Theater: EP5 - Dancing With The Wind0:48from TheSailingChannel.TV
Pacific Seacraft Orion 279.42 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA heavy-displacement cutter by Henry Mohrschladt, built for offshore stability with a long keel and conservative rig
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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
S/V SeaSprite Refit Update Late May 20268:34from Hold Fast!

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

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

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

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