Nicholson 33

Description

The Camper & Nicholsons 33 (often listed as Nicholson 33 or Nicholson 33 3/4 Ton) is a classic IOR (International Offshore Rule) racer-cruiser from the mid-1970s, designed by Ron Holland and built by Camper & Nicholsons (Gosport, UK) between approximately 1975–1980. Production was limited (likely under 100 hulls), making it a sought-after vintage performance boat today. This model was Holland's earliest production platform with C&N, serving as a precursor to derivatives like the Nicholson Half Tonner (30 ft) and 303—sharing similar hull philosophy but scaled for 3/4 Ton class racing (around 32–33 ft LOA under IOR). It's a typical late-1970s IOR design: light displacement, pinched ends (narrow stern for rating), fin keel with spade rudder, and a powerful masthead sloop rig with large overlapping headsails and relatively smaller main. This gives it excellent upwind performance in moderate winds (especially with crew on the rail) and good speed/reaching ability, but it can be twitchy downwind in heavy conditions (narrow stern, potential for broaching) and relies on crew weight for stability—hallmarks of the era's rule (some critiques tie similar boats to 1979 Fastnet issues, though well-built examples like these are generally regarded as capable).