Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 48 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

The Nicholson 48 is a quintessential example of the "overbuilt" philosophy that defined the golden era of British yacht construction. Designed by Raymond Wall and launched in the early 1970s by the venerable Camper & Nicholsons yard, this ketchrigged, centercockpit cruiser was engineered for transoceanic passages at a time when fiberglass technology was still leaning toward massive laminate thickness for safety. The vessel’s silhouette, characterized by its substantial freeboard and protected midships cockpit, remains a hallmark of 1970s bluewater design. Though production was limited compared to contemporary massmarket brands, the Nicholson 48 established a reputation for being a "goanywhere" ship, capable of weathering conditions that would force lighter yachts into port.