Nicholson 45 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

43.67' · 13.31 m

Displ.

24,640 lbs · 11,177 kg

First year

1972

The Nicholson 45, introduced in 1970, stands as one of the final expressions of the "Golden Era" of production at Camper & Nicholsons’ Gosport yard. Designed by the esteemed Raymond Wall, the 45 was conceived as a performanceoriented evolution of the highly successful Nicholson 43. While the 43 was a purebred racer built for the International Offshore Rule (IOR), the 45 addressed the growing market demand for a vessel that combined competitive speed with the volume and amenities required for serious bluewater cruising. Only a limited number were built—estimates suggest approximately 20 to 25 hulls—making them a rare sight compared to their smaller sibling. The design philosophy of the 45 reflects the transition of the early 1970s, moving away from the narrow, deepkeeled shapes of the 1960s toward a more powerful, broader hull form that offered significantly more stability and interior headroom.