The Nicholson 55, introduced in 1970, remains one of the most prestigious and formidable production sailing yachts ever conceived by the storied Camper & Nicholsons yard. Designed by Raymond Wall, who was then the chief designer for the firm, the yacht was a response to the need for a powerful, seaworthy cruiser-racer capable of handling the most grueling offshore conditions. It was built to Lloyd’s 100A1 classification, representing the absolute pinnacle of fiberglass construction standards of the era. The hull was famously overbuilt, featuring a solid GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) laminate that prioritized structural integrity over weight savings. Perhaps its greatest legacy is its service with the British Ministry of Defence; the Royal Navy and Joint Services commissioned a fleet of 12 Nicholson 55s (often referred to as the "Service 55s") for sail training, where they served for over three decades, circumnavigating the globe and enduring countless gales in the Southern Ocean.
Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 55 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Camper & Nicholsons
- Model
- Nicholson 55
- Builder
- Camper & Nicholson
- Designer
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- Number Built
Below are the most recent Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 55 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tayana 55 | 55' | $204,950 | 26 | 12 |
| Nicholson 32 | 32' | $20,000 | 15 | 3 |
| Oyster 55 | 56.25' | $398,701 | 11 | 2 |
| Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 38 | $41,495 | 8 | 2 | |
| Discovery 55 | 54.79' | $649,995 | 7 | 2 |
| Hallberg-Rassy 55 | 54.72' | $1,266,033 | 6 | 0 |
| Nautor Swan Swan 55 CC | 54.98' | $2,178,754 | 5 | 4 |
| Swan 55-S&S-1970 | 54.63' | $559,410 | 4 | 0 |
| Nautor Swan Swan 55 | 58.23' | $2,611,593 | 3 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are similar sailboats to the Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 55?
- Comparable models include the Tayana 55, Nicholson 32, Oyster 55. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.