Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 48 Buyer's Guide
Shopping for a used Nicholson 48 means chasing a scarce British ketch: Raymond Wall’s heavy displacement cruiser, built by Halmatic Ltd and Camper & Nicholson with 42 completed before production ended in 1981. These boats attract owners who prize passage-making comfort over speed, and the closed production run makes each example a small part of a finite series.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Nicholson 48 has the same four-cabin sleeping plan: two double cabins aft, one double forward, and one single berth in the passageway, with two heads of which one includes a shower. That layout supports eight berths and separates sleeping zones clearly. The classic ketch rig with a keel-stepped mast is standard factory configuration rather than a later conversion, so buyers should expect it on any surviving hull.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The market record shows no commonly fitted or often-seen equipment tiers, so a shopper should treat any generator, watermaker, rig modification, or navigation suite as an individual owner addition rather than a fleet standard. Because the design closed in 1981, the real buyer questions are whether energy systems, sail-handling hardware, and canvas have been modernized by the seller, not what the original boat carried.
What to Inspect
The keel-stepped mast needs more maintenance and inspection as it can cause leaks or corrosion in the hull anchor. Owners acknowledge high maintenance costs and limited spare-part availability from the small build number, so confirm mast-step condition, any corrosion history, and the practical sourcing of replacements before purchase. Light-air pace was never a strength, but that is a design trait rather than a survey defect.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the Nicholson 48 are Ireland and France. For a buyer, the takeaway is straightforward:
- Confirm keel-step mast integrity and any leak or corrosion repair history
- Verify spare-part strategy given limited production and ended 1981 build
- Assess owner-added systems as individual upgrades, not standard fit
- Expect a steady, comfortable passage boat, not a light-wind performer
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 48. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25 | 1 | $81,322 | — |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $87,322 | +7.4% |
Where they're listed
Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 48 listings appear across 2 countries. France has the most listings with 1 (50.0%), followed by Ireland.
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hans Christian 48 | 47.83' | $ 248,546 | 7 | 2 |
| Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 48You are here | — | $ 84,322 | 2 | 0 |