Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 55 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

LOA

53.5' · 16.31 m

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 cruiserracer 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 (glassreinforced 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.