Introduced at the 1966 London Boat Show, the Nicholson 38 was born from a unique collaboration between the prestigious British yard Camper & Nicholsons and the famed American design office of John G. Alden. Developed during an era when "motorsailer" often implied a compromise in sailing ability, the Nicholson 38 shattered expectations by winning the Yachting World "One of a Kind" rally for its class, proving to be faster under sail alone than many dedicated cruisers. The design was actually an evolution of Alden’s Mistral hull, which Camper & Nicholsons modified by increasing the freeboard and length to accommodate a more robust ketch rig and a center-cockpit layout. Between 1966 and 1978, approximately 134 units were produced, with the hulls molded by Halmatic and the majority finished to Lloyd’s exacting standards at the C&N yard in Gosport.
Nicholson 38 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Nicholson
- Model
- 38
- Builder
- Camper & Nicholson Ltd.
- Designer
- John Alden & Assoc.
- Number Built
- 134
- Production Year(s)
- 1966 - 1975
Below are the most recent Nicholson 38 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
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | 1 | $33,813 |
| Feb 2026 | 2 | $29,418 |
| Mar 2026 | 2 | $61,371 |
Median Price by Country
Listings by Country
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nauticat 38 | 37.5' | $115,451 | 39 | 16 |
| Hallberg-Rassy 38 | 37.96' | $92,479 | 22 | 9 |
| Nicholson 32 | 32' | $20,000 | 15 | 3 |
| Shannon 38 | 37.75' | $64,950 | 13 | 4 |
| Cabo Rico 38 | 38' | $89,000 | 13 | 4 |
| Caliber 38 | 38' | $84,500 | 11 | 7 |
| Camper & Nicholsons Nicholson 38 | $41,503 | 8 | 2 | |
| Ohlson 38 | 37.06' | $41,612 | 6 | 2 |
| Nicholson 38 | $33,813 | 5 | 5 | |
| Moody 38 | 37.5' | $96,602 | 3 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $29,418 | 2 | 2 |
| Spain | $34,828 | 1 | 1 |
| Greece | $33,813 | 1 | 1 |
| New Zealand | $87,915 | 1 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Nicholson 38 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Nicholson 38 over the past 12 months is $33,813. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Nicholson 38 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 5 Nicholson 38 listings over the past 12 months, with 5 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Nicholson 38 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Nicholson 38 has remained stable over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- Where is the cheapest place to buy a Nicholson 38?
- United Kingdom currently has the lowest median asking price at $29,418, while New Zealand is the most expensive at $87,915 — a 199% difference.
- What are similar sailboats to the Nicholson 38?
- Comparable models include the Nauticat 38, Hallberg-Rassy 38, Nicholson 32. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.