Sailing Review: Yachting Monthly 1977

With the modern trend of yesterday's racing boats becoming today's cruiser's or cruiser/racers, it was a refreshing change when Camper & Nicholsons introduced the Nicholson 31 as a pure cruiser at the 1976 Earls Court Boat Show. Although at first sight, with her long keel, she seems very similar to her older sister, the ever popular, classic Nicholson 32, she is very much a more modern boat. Unashamedly a cruising boat, owing nothing to rating fomulae and current trends, the emphasis in the design is on comfort and seakindliness, rather than speed (not that she is a sluggard in any way). She is very solidly constructed and has been put together to the standard that one has traditionally come to expect of her builders.

The Classic Blue Water Cruiser

The design brief in 1975 for the Nicholson 31 was for a small cruising yacht capable of passage making in any condition that could be met by its crew undertaking coastal and deep water cruising. To have the displacement to accommodate its equipment and stores for extended cruising and to provide the necessary accommodations.

That the brief has been met in the intervening years is answered by the voyages made by 31's throughout the world, to so many cruising destinations and countries. To read their logs is to be reminded of their owners and crews remarkable fortitude and seamanship.

Raymond Wall

Nicholson 31 President and Designer.