Hamble copy?

[zigzag]

Does anyone know how close
the Hamble is to the
Nicholson design. Does the hamble have a deeper keel?

[michael bennett]

I am not aware of the keel depth of the Hamble, but I am sure all figures are available for comparison.
As to the Nic 38, she has survived everything you can throw at her, and will continue to look after you in seriously bad weather, if you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in such a situation, personaly I do not do gales, but can of course be unavoidable.
All the owners will testify to her seaworthyness, and the confidence in her ability to look after you in such conditions, whatever tactic you employ, run before or heave to.
There are quite a number of this group who are liveaboards, and who do many miles every year, also with young children learning their schoolwork and so much more (wish I had had the same opportunity)as the travel far and wide, whose parents entrust their lives to the soundness of our wonderful Nic 38’s, quite the best sailing investment for me.

[robinsykes]

Voltair does about 3000 nm each year. She has been around North Cape where the covered cockpit enabled the crew to be in light sweaters rather than heavy oilskins. She has survived a grounding in a Jan gale in Oban when her mooring broke (3 days on the rocks and then she floated off (albeit needing a new rudder etc). She has kept us safe in windstrengths over 50 knots – recently on a close reach. Crews keep coming back for more. (Not of gales, but of the general sailing). She is pretty self-contained, so loves wild anchorages. The blown air central heating is a delight. The kitchen is compact, but three course eveing meals are normal. And cooking at sea is fine if you are.
We plan on 5 knot average cruising speed. The sail plan is very flexible with minimum effort. I note that many owners have their boats in the Med, so although I cant comment on what she is like in really hot weather, I guess they can. She is tricky to reverse in a straight line, but after 5 years of practice you will get the hang of it – provided there is no cross wind. It’s not a good idea to swamp the cockpit with breaking waves – slow drainage. It would be nicer to have a foot more length.
When I test-sailed Voltair, the PO took me out in December in a force 7. I was beating up the sound of Mull, seated at the helm, in shirt sleeves with the sun beating thru the windscreen, drinking coffee from a mug on the gimbled mug holder, having a quiet chat about this and that. I was sold!

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