Nicholson 38 for sale £35,000

The time has come to sell our beloved Nicholson 38 Swyn-y-Mor (Welsh - Charm of the Sea), currently laid up for winter, ashore in Fethiye, Turkey. We have constantly upgraded her and with her teak decks and varnished wood she is a good looking example of this wonderful class of yacht.

She was bought by us in 2007 as a live-a-board for a year away sailing to the Mediterranean with our daughter, then aged 9. In preparation for that we commissioned a substantial refit over a 2 year period which included an upgrade of electrics, the fitting of a substantial holding tank and many new features including: toilets (x2) heads sink unit, cooker (Nelson), covers, anchor (Rocna) and chain, exhaust system for her recently fitted engine (and much more).

We left the UK in 2009, crossing Biscay and then down the Atlantic coast to Gibraltar. From there we sailed to Morocco up the coast of Spain, the Balearics and then a December crossing to Tunisia where we over-wintered. The following spring we passaged to Sicily and the foot of Italy to Greece. We kept Swyn-y-Mor in Preveza for the next 8 years – flying out in school holidays exploring the Ionian, but also Albania, Croatia and Italy. In 2018 we sailed from Preveza to Rhodes and over wintered there, and then to Turkey in 2019.

A brief History of the boat as we know it: The owner before us owned her for 2 years and put in a new Nanni 50hp engine. He sailed her to Norway but decided that sailing wasn’t for him. The owner before that kept her in France and was responsible for a considerable investment on her, including

the teak decks ( we think) the mast track system and the huge sheet winches (Lewmar 50). He even wrote an article about her for a magazine called “Good Old Boat”.

Description

A full survey was conducted for insurance reasons in 2017 and can be viewed. It concluded that she is a sound boat and the recommendations primarily related to updating safety equipment. All standing rigging was renewed in 2016.

On deck we replaced the CQR with a slightly over specified Rocna, a decision we never regretted as the extra weight is not noticed but the holding ability is considerably enhanced. We also replaced the chain with 60m of 10mm chain. This has only just started to show signs of rust and will be re-galvanised over the winter. The Kong anchor swivel will be replaced with a new one at the same time.

The Lewmar windlass is powerful enough to bring all the ground tackle up without problems, and a new hand control has been fitted this year. We removed the through the deck fitting because it was a constant source of problems so now the lead is led through the fore hatch which works very well. We have an extension lead which means that the windlass can also be operated from the cockpit.

As in all Nich 38s the forward Lazarette which used to house the CQR is now freed up and we use it for anchoring kit- snubber etc, a long line for taking to shore and because it drains overboard, a good place to put a petrol can and other volatile substances.

In common with all Nich 38s the fore deck has a massive bollard which has proved enormously useful . She has attractive wooden cleats on the fore deck and webbing safety lines run from stem to stern on both sides of the deck.

There is a stout spinnaker pole which has not had much use in our ownership and we installed a removable inner forestay when the rigging was replaced in 2016. This is extremely useful for setting the storm jib though this has not been used in earnest - yet.

The main sail is fully battened slab reefing system ( reefing lines are led back to the cockpit) and is mounted on a Facnor F10 mast track system which is so good that the main can be easily hoisted with the winch only being used to tighten the luff. This system was recently overhauled when the rigging was done.

The Genoa is on a roller reefing system and works well. The mizzen has been altered due to the mizzen boom being raised to make the aft deck more usable but is still a substantial sail. The mizzen sheet is mounted on a traveller which makes the setting of the sail more efficient. The mizzen sheet and the main sheet were new in 2018.

Other sails include a spinnaker – not much used, storm jib good condition , a stay sail and a very attractive mizzen stay sail. There is a wind scoop which works well when hoisted over the fore hatch.

Other deck equipment includes 2 boat hooks and a deck brush.

On the Coachroof there are wooden chocks for the hard canopy which can be taken off and secured on deck although we have never done it, the canopy can be easily removed . There is a Seldon rod kicker.

The sheet winches are huge (Lewmar 50) 2 self-tailing winches are also on the rear of the cockpit and one on the coachroof inside for the reefing lines and kicker. 2 halliard winches are on the mast and one on the mizzen. All are regularly serviced.

On the cockpit canopy we have installed a large solar panel which will provide sufficient power to keep pace with the fridge and more.

New covers were made in 2009 but we do not use them in the Mediterranean summer. In winter when laid up the whole cockpit is covered by a heavy duty cover which keeps the cockpit dry and protected from the elements. See below

New cockpit seats were made in 2016. One feature of Nick 38s is the relative narrowness of the cockpit seats. However we have a ‘sofa’ in our cockpit! By having a removable infill on the starboard side with bespoke cushions we have a broad seat which is big enough for 2 people to comfortably share!

There are various cockpit tables which have been used at different times. We have not used them preferring a collapsible free standing table but all parts of the other tables have been retained so they can be re-instated in the future.

The cockpit lockers are large housing 2X 180 ah domestic batteries and a standard engine battery shore power cable and on the other side 2 grab bags, 2 dinghy pumps and shopping bags, shoes etc.

The aft deck has substantial Davits which not only support the dinghy but provide a great place for the passerelle made in 2015 of GRP. Our bespoke passerelle is a bit of a feature and is secured by a spreader hoisted by the mizzen halliard.

The aft lazarette is not large on Nich 38s but by careful stowing can hold the kedge (Fortress on 10m of 10mm chain with a further 30m of cable), warps, bucket hand pump and long hose on a spool. It also contains the emergency tiller.

There is the usual safety equipment: horse shoe buoy and light, recovery sling and bolt cutters. There are also life jackets 3 adult and 1 child, various harnesses and life lines. There are 5 fire extinguishers and a fire blanket. A pilot gas alarm system was updated with a new sensor in 2019. There is a Bosun’s chair and a system for climbing the mast. The EPIRB was new in 2018. The radar reflector is an Echomax. Substantial lee cloths are fitted to all bunks other than the fore cabin.

The gas locker, new in 2017 is a high quality cabinet in marine ply with teak facing. It has a protective cover when not in use. It holds 2 camping gas canisters and room to spare. There is also the original teak gas box on the port side which is used for a third canister.

There is a sturdy stand for the outboard on the aft deck and a very lovely wooden boarding ladder which can be deployed on either side of the boat .There are 2 other boarding ladders.

There are 9 fenders including a large ball fender and a step fender which is useful when boarding from the dinghy. Many ropes (probably too many) .

There are 3 auto helms. There is an Auto helm 2000 which operates from a wheel behind the steering wheel which works well in moderate conditions. We are fortunate to have the original Neco system (these are often taken out) This massive piece of kit was designed for small ships and will steer in all conditions however extreme. It is power hungry so if in use for more than a few hours the engine will have to be used. We also have a Hydrovane which is not fitted at the moment. The previous owner did not get on with it and had it removed.

The engine is a 50HP Nanni. There is a 40 gallon main diesel tank and another 20 gallon wing tank in the portside cockpit which is not in commission. There is a Eberspacher diesel heater but has not been used since 2010 and would need professional servicing before being used. There a number of bilge pumps both automatic and a manual.

There is a 240v ac circuit when connected to shore power with double sockets to fore and aft cabins, the galley and chart table. There is an inverter which we are looking to upgrade. A new battery charger was fitted in 2018 and there is an immersion heater on the calorifier.

The DC system was upgraded in 2009 with a new main switch system and a new switch board. The wiring to the windlass was upgraded as well.

Navigational aid include: radar, GPS- which is repeated on the radar screen in the cockpit (extremely useful), Navtex, VHF (DSC) AIS receiver (new in 2019) and depth and wind instruments.

All mast lights deck light, tricolour and anchor light were renewed in 2016 and the anchor light( only) is LED which has made a huge difference to power consumption overnight.

There are also Portland plotter, dividers, binoculars, paper charts, pilot books etc. in a full size chart table.

Below decks

The aft cabin has a wash hand basin and mirror (original) the aft heads has been renewed in 2009 and is ventilated by a solar fan which works very well. The aft cabin has massive under bunk storage as well as a deep locker big enough to hold folding chairs beach parasols umbrellas and all our snorkelling kit.

The main cabin has an attractive wooden top table with removable fiddles and will fold out with supporting arms to form a very big table. There is a radio cd player with iPod connection, speakers in the cabin and cockpit. There is very good stowage under the and behind the seats. The table can be lowered to form another bunk. There is a chiming clock and barometer.

The galley has a good quality cooker and large fridge. There are numerous taps allowing for filtered water and possibly salt water. The foot pump is connected to a potable water tank housed in the starboard side cockpit and the main water tanks under the floor are pumped using an electric pump which also brings hot water from the calorifier in the engine compartment. There is very good stowage for food and the lighting has been greatly improved by installing an LED strip under the window.

Opposite the heads there is a very large hanging locker and a clothes wardrobe both have been improved by having wooden doors fitted.

The main heads are spacious containing a toilet (new 2009) and a shower which drains to a sump pump and is emptied automatically overboard. There is a macerator pump which empties the holding tank and this winter a new through the deck pump out facility will be installed. There is an electric fan and a small hatch which gives good ventilation. The basin was replaced with a modern unit in 2009. There is pumped hot and cold water but also a foot pump from the main tank. Stowage is very good.

The fore cabin is our main sleeping area when not on passage. The single bunks infill to a reasonable double. Steps lead out through the fore hatch. The holding tank (stainless steel 2009) is housed under the bunk on the starboard side the post side bunk has a large space for tools and electrical equipment.

The fore peak is a large area for stowing spare sails etc.

In summary, Swyn-Y-Mor has had a lot of work done by us and previous owners. She was substantially re-fitted as a live-aboard for our year away, and subsequently improved each year in our ownership.

She is reluctantly up for sail as new time commitments have arisen for us but we will take as long as it needs to find the right new owner for her.

James and Rose Parnell

Contact james.parnell @outlook.com or 07766338423