About Judicious

The hulls were moulded by Halmatic, and are generally thought to be over specified, and the yachts marketed by Camper and Nicholson, of Gosport (UK) more often know for building super yachts.

About 400 boats were built, the final fifty were of a slightly different design.

They are long keel, heavy displacement and have become a classic design. Although not offering the accommodation of a modern 32ft (9.7m) boat they are well known for the sea keeping properties and robustness. Many owners have completed extended voyages, visiting all 5 continents, and round the world trips are not uncommon.
Some basic details of the 'Nic 32'

Length = 32ft (9.7m)
Beam = 9ft 3in (2.82m)
Water line = 24ft
Draft = 5ft 6" (1.7m)
Displacement = 7 tons (7 tonnes)
Ballast = 2.98ton (3 tonnes) (encapsulated lead)
Sail area 557 sq ft (51.9 m2)
Berths = 5
Water capacity = 60 gals (270 litres)
Practical Boat Owner review

In the July 2002 issue of Practical Boat Owner magazine there is a review of the Nicholson 32. Some of the comments are:

"...if you want a sturdy, all weather cruiser of impeccable pedigree with hundreds and thousand of sea miles under her keel, you need look no further."

"...some have suggested that she'd be a better introduction to cruising than the skittish charter boats on which an increasing number of potential owners experience their first taste of sailing anything bigger than a dinghy".

"When it comes to surviving heavy weather, the narrow, deep and heavily-ballasted Nicholson does indeed put most 32-footers to shame...."

"..on a passage - especially given a fistful of breeze - you should be able to record some respectable daily averages."

"Even if you don't fall for the Nic's styling - and I reckon she's rather dashing from most angles - there's certainly no denying her strengths."

However, all is not so rosy...

"...the Nic's behaviour under power astern can only be descibed as beyond redemption...kicked heavily to starboard...No amount of coaxing could persuade her even to think about going the other way."

"In astern let her go where she wants, then look as though you meant it." (Peter Poole)

"...a Nic 32 means living with sluggish performance in light airs. ...and less accomaodation than on a modern equivalent."

PBO cover