Peter Nicholls Yachtbuilders Ltd
Steel boat builders since 1975 offering a range of pleasure barges and sailing yachts. Our new steel Thames sailing barge is well established and available from 10 metres upwards. Our Huffler 10 metre, 12 metre and 17 metres steel motor yacht/motor sailer is a seaworthy craft based on the Dutch Aak and built to cat B RCD. Our FCN seagoing motor barge to category B RCD is available from 14 metres upwards.
We have a range of chined sailing cruisers from our gaff rigged 25ft Brigand through to our 37ft and 45ft chined Corsair. Our round bilge steel Renegade is a blue water sailing cruiser available at 37ft, 43ft, 48ft and 53 ft. We also undertake "one offs" and are particularly used to building tradition craft. Part fitted boats, or even bare shells for owner completion are also available.
Braunston Marina Trade Centre Braunston, Daventry Northants NN11 7JH United Kingdom
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Peter nicholls, noted boat-builder peter nicholls recently turned 77 and is still hard at work. in conversation with andrew denny, he discusses his 50 years in the business.
Roger Baileff (l) and Peter Nicholls (r) in front of the latest Huffler
It started with a request from a reader – could we find a much-loved narrowboat he commissioned from boat-builder Peter Nicholls nearly 50 years ago?
While we are yet to track down the boat in question, we were well aware of Peter, who is still hard at work, quietly building a variety of steel craft in his workshops at Braunston Marina. It came as a surprise to us, though, that his career and business stretched back that far. Starting with conventional steel narrowboats in the 1970s, he eventually came to specialise in wide-beams and sailboats capable of cruising tidal waters throughout Europe and, in some cases, around the world.
We visited his premises to find out more about his career.
Early leisure boating scene
Inland boats were a very different proposition from today’s luxury, high-tech models when Peter started in 1973. Back then, people wanting to get afloat cheaply would buy redundant ‘station boats’ – open-plan, Birmingham day-boats, originally pulled by a tug or horse. There were plenty of them left from the dying days of canal carrying.
Working in the open, with no workshop, it could be hard graft, he says, particularly in winter. “But I was young and tough then. I had a little van and I would tow a welding generator around on a trailer, with a Lister SR2 on the front end. And then I thought, ‘Never mind these rusty old boats, I could build these things myself!’ So I bought some plans for narrowboats and modified them.”
Redditch base
In 1974 he found a small workshop in Redditch which was part of a redundant wire works. There was one problem, however: it was so small he could only build a 40-footer inside. “As a test I built a bow and two whole sections, about 32ft long. But the first customer who came didn’t want that. He wanted a 24-footer. So, I had to put the shell on one side and start again and I built the 24-footer with a closed front, a small cabin and a little stern. And a Sabb single-cylinder engine but no fitting out. We put that on the water for the customer down at Alvechurch and he took it home to Wolverhampton.
Seagoing craft
As a business, Peter Nicholls Boatbuilders has run the full gamut of inland boats. But, despite being based at ‘the crossroads of the canals’ in Braunston, over recent decades the company has, paradoxically, become best known for its seagoing boats.
Undoubtedly his most famous work is Princess Matilda , the Dutch barge he built for Timothy Spall. The centrepiece of the actor’s three Timothy Spall at Sea TV series, it has perhaps received more screen time than any other boat.
But it’s his steel-hulled sailing yachts that now stand out among the narrowboats of Braunston Marina.
Peter’s move into wide-beam boats and yachts came largely with the influence of two boat designers, Roger Fillery and Tony Tucker, both of whom he knew from his early days in the business. Peter has built several of Tony’s designs, including the Renegade round-hulled and the Mistral chined yachts, both capable of round-the-world sailing.
It was Peter’s own concept for an easy-to-sail Category A (deep sea) motor all-steel sailboat that led Tony Tucker to design the Huffler exclusively for him. Named after a Broads term for the man who would lower the mast of Norfolk wherries to get under bridges, the first Huffler was launched at the 1993 London Boat Show.
The Peter Nicholls’ brand
Peter’s early boats were mostly sailaways and even up to the early 2000s there was quite a market for people fitting out their own boats. Perhaps everything became more complicated, not just through extra legislation (the Recreational Craft Directive started in 1998) but because equipment itself has become more complicated.
Looking back, the years have gone past and he’s barely noticed. “How many boats have I built? I did count once, a few years ago, and it was about 500. But I don’t know now. I’m still too busy.”
Is there a ‘signature’ to his boats, a characteristic Peter Nicholls’ look? “One thing you wouldn’t be able to see when they’re underway, our boats always had long swims. For example, a 50ft boat would have a 14ft swim. They cut through the water very well.”
Where’s Scumble ?
One of Peter Nicholls’ earliest boats was Scumble , a 40ft narrowboat built at his original premises in Redditch in 1976 as a sailaway.
Freighted by road down to Hamble, it was sailed by Peter across the Solent to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Its commissioner was Peter Atkinson, at the time a young assistant prison officer at Parkhurst, who was to go on to be governor in several other such institutions.
Peter Atkinson sailed the boat 4 miles upstream to Newport, close to his work, and fitted it out with the help of some prison contractors, adding the name of a local brewery, Burt & Company – signwriting that he kept while the boat was in his ownership.
Moving to the mainland in 1980, he brought it with him to the Shropshire Union, finally selling it in Wakefield in 1983 when work took him there.
Peter Nicholls tells us he would love to know if it is still cruising, and says he will happily “send a tenner” to anyone who can relate its travelling history. Or perhaps its fate, since there does not currently appear to be a boat with that name on the inland boat list.
Is this early example of Peter Nicholls’ work still happily cruising somewhere?
This is an extract of the feature that appears in the March 2024 issue of Waterways World , click here to read the full article.
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- Peter Nicholls
- FCN seagoing barge
Peter Nicholls yachtbuilders Ltd FCN seagoing barge for sale in Northants United Kingdom
Peter Nicholls Yachtbuilders Ltd
Northants United Kingdom
FCN Seagoing barge
Make & Model
Peter Nicholls yachtbuilders Ltd FCN seagoing barge
MEASUREMENTS
Description.
Peter Nicholls Ltd FCN seagoing motor barge.
Nearing completion as a fully fitted seagoing motor barge with inboard diesel. Possible electric or hybrid propulsion if preferred
Peter NichollsLtd FCN 65 ft. Now fitting out. Seagoing to RCD category B or C.
In 2005, a shorter FCN, actorTimothy Spalls's Princess Matilda, featured in a BBC TV series cruising around the UK at sea. Eventually the boat cruised the Baltic and reached Malmo, Sweden and is now on back on the Thames. Some episodes are still available on Youtube. Full details of the FCN can be found on our website
The boat we have for sale has masses of space for three sleeping cabins, two bathrooms large well equipped galley and roomy saloon and dining area. The coachroof has masses of room for solar panels.
She even has a large extra cabin under the foredeck for extra accommodation housing a workshop and extra storage
The FCN hull is easily driven through the water. Important when electric power is considered, but this hold too for diesel
There is still an opportunity to tailor the interior to your requirements
Painted in twin pack Epifanes polyurethenet with twin black to the hull.
The fold down wheelhouse is double glazed and is easy to raise and lower. with easily undone stainless clips
Hydrauic steering is fitted and there is a choice of inboard diesel engines or electric propulsion with standby generator and solar panels.
250mm bow prop is fitted together withfixings for an electric anchor winch.
Choice of diesel or electric power
Side windows are double glazed as is the roof hatch.
Fitting out well on the way, much further than the photos show
Engine Location
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Hull Material
Peter Nicholls Ltd
Twin pack epoxy black
Hull Construction
Super Structure Colour
Deck Colour
Deck Construction
displacement
Cockpit Type
Displacement(kgs)
ABOUT PETER NICHOLLS YACHTBUILDERS LTD FCN SEAGOING BARGE
The Peter Nicholls yachtbuilders Ltd FCN seagoing barge is 66 feet long and has a 12 feet beam and a draft of 1. The Peter Nicholls yachtbuilders Ltd FCN seagoing barge is made of steel.
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Our steel boat range also includes our Renegade round bilge 'Blue Water' sailing cruisers, our Mistral chined fast sailing cruiser together with boats specifically designed with disabled people in mind. Contact Peter Nicholls on 01788 891 823 w ith any questions, or to arrange an appointment. CONTACT US.
Comparable to other "Dutch Barges". For wide beam inland cruising of the UK and Europe , to RCD D category with steering from the bow or stern and under cover bow cockpit. The Corsair 37 is a roomy 6 berth all steel chined sailing cruiser to RCD A category. Designed for Peter Nicholls by the experienced steel boat designer Tony Tucker.
Steel boat builders since 1975 offering a range of pleasure barges and sailing yachts. Our new steel Thames sailing barge is well established and available from 10 metres upwards. Our Huffler 10 metre, 12 metre and 17 metres steel motor yacht/motor sailer is a seaworthy craft based on the Dutch Aak and built to cat B RCD. Our FCN seagoing motor barge to category B RCD is available from 14 ...
Warwickshire, CV32 6HS. Registered in England at: 6 Corunna Court, CV34 5hq. Company Registration Number: 02855981. Steel Boats by Peter Nicholls the Yacht Builders (www.steelboats.com) Peter Nicholls steelboats and steel yachts have been building steel boats for nearly 30 years since the company was founded as Peter Nicholls Steel Boats in 1973.
The Huffler 35 and Huffler 40 steel motor sailer, was built with more than an eye to the best that tradition has to offer and offers the very best in steel boats. . The sailing version combines the joy, excitement and grace of sailing, with the comfort and security of a motor vessel. The Huffler was designed specifically for Peter Nicholls by ...
Explore a vast selection of new and used Peter Nicholls on Rightboat. Search, compare, and find your dream boat today. Trusted by over 500,000 buyers monthly! ... Peter Nicholls Steel Yachts Tucker Designs Renegade 37 $315,853 * CONDITION: Used LENGTH: 38.75 ft. | YEAR: 2014 ...
Peter Nicholls Yacht Builders have been established for 45 years and specialise in building steel Dutch barges and sailing yachts. Long established boat builders offering a range of quality steel boats and steel yachts, sea going Dutch barges, steel sailing yachts and steel motor cruisers. Including our traditional Thames Barge, and Huffler all ...
Details about Peter Nicholls Yacht Builders and qualities of their boats and yachts. Any current boats for sale through Network Yacht Brokers offices are listed.
Peter Nicholls Noted boat-builder Peter Nicholls recently turned 77 and is still hard at work. In conversation with Andrew Denny, he discusses his 50 years in the business. Roger Baileff (l) and Peter Nicholls (r) in front of the latest Huffler.
65.62 ft. DESCRIPTION. Peter Nicholls Ltd FCN seagoing motor barge. Nearing completion as a fully fitted seagoing motor barge with inboard diesel. Possible electric or hybrid propulsion if preferred. Peter NichollsLtd FCN 65 ft. Now fitting out. Seagoing to RCD category B or C. In 2005, a shorter FCN, actorTimothy Spalls's Princess Matilda ...
People for PETER NICHOLLS YACHT BUILDERS LIMITED (02855981) More for PETER NICHOLLS YACHT BUILDERS LIMITED (02855981) Registered office address 6 Corunna Court, Corunna Road, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 5HQ . Company status Active Company type Private limited Company Incorporated on 22 September 1993 ...
The Peter Nicholls Thames sailing barge is a traditional barge design that was first introduced in 1980. Barge yachts were always popular between the wars. Our design is based on the lines of Giralda built by Pipers of Greenwich in 1897; reputedly the fastest Thames barge ever built. The sailing versions were superseded in our range by the ...
Discover an extensive range of Used Peter Nicholls yachtbuilders ltd 65ft barge for sale in your area, explore detailed information, photographs, pricing, and pinpoint your next boat on DailyBoats.com
A similar Peter Nicholls Boat, developed from the Explorer is now offered with RCD (C Class) classification which allows for Coastal and Cross Channel Cruising. Explorer 45 Owner's Cabin displaying large Built-in Wardrobe and 6' 6" x 5' Double Bed . A 45' x 11' 8" Explorer seen Cruising the Grand Union Canal in Northants. ...
Built in 1996 to a Peter Nicholls design. "Calluna" is a 10m Thames Sailing Barge built in steel, she is a true unique "one off" yacht. The Steel is 12mm, 8mm and 4mm thick. Calluna features a gaff rig with top sail, mizzen, and bow sprit. The masts can be lowered down single handed and the yacht is equally at home cruising the canals or ...
Photo Gallery. Huffler 40 all steel motor yacht and motor sailer for sale now. Go anywhere with drop keel and self lowered mast (sailing version), Available from 35ft to 56ft for long distance live aboard cruising inland and at sea. The Huffler motor sailer has the high.
PETER NICHOLLS YACHT BUILDERS LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity. Cookies on Companies House services. We use some essential cookies to make our services work.
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The Peter Nicholls FCN is an ideal choice to live aboard in style and comfort. * The wheelhouse is simple to hinge down and the lightweight roof (2 panels 20kg each) easy to stow. None of this "Hydraulically operated wheelhouse" nonsense. Built to category B for the EC Recreational Craft Directive, the hull design is unique for a boat of ...