Class CHeavy displacementCruiser/Racer

Nicholson 345

Samsonov · Ron Holland · 1979

Updated 30 September 2026

Measured under the previous VPP (2021–2024)

The Nicholson 345 is a 10.49 m heavy displacement racing yacht designed by Ron Holland and built by Samsonov, first launched in 1979. It races in Class C.

Length

10.49 m

34′ 5″

Beam

3.40 m

Draft

1.97 m

Displacement

7.0 t

Sail area

67 m²

No boat of this design has been measured under the current VPP. The figures below come from measurement records issued between 2021 and 2024, on the earlier scale, so this design carries no Race Edge.

On the podium

Where a Nicholson 345 finishes when she goes racing.

On the podium

of 12 starts by 2 boats

Wins

Wins0%0

Seconds0%0

Thirds0%0

Off the podium100%12

Read from 12 starts by 2 boats between 2020 and 2023, counting races with six boats or more.

Recent regattas

The latest events where a Nicholson 345 was on the start line, named as the organisers publish them.

Shorthanded Regatta2023
Regatta Cor Caroli Next Consult2022
20th Regatta Cor Caroli Icard2020

Raced one we are missing?

Report a regatta

Round the buoys, or offshore

A short windward-leeward and a night at sea ask different things of a boat. Here is how this one does in each.

Round the buoys

—

Not enough data yet: 2 races of 10 NM or less carry a published distance.

Offshore & coastal

—

Not enough data yet: 7 races over 10 NM carry a published distance.

Who she races against

The designs a Nicholson 345 actually lines up with, most often first. The bar shows how those meetings ended.

This design aheadRival ahead

First Class Challenge17%ahead in 2 of 12 meetings, 12 races

Sun Fast 3233%ahead in 4 of 12 meetings, 12 races

Apollo 1250%ahead in 6 of 12 meetings, 12 races

Peterson 250%ahead in 0 of 10 meetings, 10 races

Conrad 2536%ahead in 33 of 92 meetings, 10 races

First 21140%ahead in 4 of 10 meetings, 10 races

X-3320%ahead in 0 of 10 meetings, 10 races

Hanse 34888%ahead in 7 of 8 meetings, 8 races

Bavaria Cruiser 4520%ahead in 2 of 10 meetings, 6 races

Carter 3025%ahead in 2 of 8 meetings, 4 races

Also met, too few times for a figure:

First 29 (6 meetings), First 40.7 (6 meetings), Bavaria Cruiser 33 (6 meetings), Bavaria Cruiser 36 (6 meetings), First 47.7 (6 meetings), Xc 42 (4 meetings), Hallberg Rassy 412 (4 meetings), Bavaria Cruiser 34 (4 meetings), Conrad 24 (4 meetings), Grand Soleil 42 (Carkeek) (2 meetings), 1d35 (2 meetings), Salona 40 (2 meetings), Bavaria Match 35 (2 meetings), Peterson 34 (2 meetings), Mat 122 (2 meetings)

Some of the boats it races against

How the Nicholson 345 has fared against each of them, boat against boat on corrected time. Ordered by how often the two meet, not by who wins.

Nicholson 345 vs Conrad 25ahead 36% of 92 head-to-heads

Nicholson 345 vs First Class Challengeahead 17% of 12 head-to-heads

Nicholson 345 vs Sun Fast 32ahead 33% of 12 head-to-heads

Nicholson 345 vs Apollo 12ahead 50% of 12 head-to-heads

Nicholson 345 vs Peterson 25ahead 0% of 10 head-to-heads

Speed at every angle

The shape of this design's speed, drawn from the measured fleet. Pick a wind and watch it stretch.

Speed in knots at 20 knots of true wind. Green marks the angles that pay: the closest useful beat and the deepest run worth sailing.

How fast is a Nicholson 345

Boat speed in knots, by true wind angle and wind strength.

Angle	6 kn	10 kn	14 kn	20 kn
Beat VMG	3.59	4.36	4.62	—
52°	5.38	6.34	6.62	—
60°	5.63	6.53	6.80	—
75°	5.83	6.68	7.02	—
90°	5.84	6.76	7.12	—
110°	6.02	6.97	7.39	—
120°	5.91	6.95	7.50	—
135°	5.43	6.75	7.36	—
150°	4.74	6.36	7.05	—
Run VMG	4.11	5.59	6.62	—

How they are set up

The range each sail spans across the fleet.

Mainsail24 m² – 30 m²

Headsail37 m² – 43 m²

Spinnaker85 m² – 91 m²

Most run a fixed propeller. Crew weight is declared around 350 kg.