Nicholson 40 DS Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

40' · 12.19 m

Displ.

23,296 lbs · 10,567 kg

First year

1977

The Nicholson 40 DS (Deck Saloon) represents a pivotal era in the history of Camper & Nicholsons, marking a transition from the firm’s heritage of bespoke racing yachts toward the burgeoning demand for highend, productionseries bluewater cruisers. Introduced in the late 1970s and designed by Raymond Wall—the successor to the legendary Charles E. Nicholson—the 40 DS was engineered to provide the security of a heavydisplacement hull with the lightfilled livability of a modern motor sailer. Built at the firm's prestigious Gosport yard, these vessels were constructed to Lloyd’s 100A1 standards, a rigorous certification that underscored their "goanywhere" pedigree. The "DS" designation was a bold departure from the lower profiles of earlier Nicholsons, raising the coachroof to allow for 360degree visibility from the interior, a feature that remains highly sought after by longdistance cruisers today.