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Nicholson 45
Designer: Camper & Nicholson/Raymond Wall  ·  Builder: Camper & Nicholson Ltd.(Uk)  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Nicholson 45

Built by the prestigious British yard Camper & Nicholson in 1972, this elegant 44-footer represents classic European sailing craftsmanship from the early 1970s. Designed collaboratively by Camper & Nicholson and Raymond Wall, the Nicholson 45 embodies the transitional period when yacht design was evolving from heavy traditional cruisers toward more modern performance-oriented vessels. With only five hulls ever constructed, this model stands as an exclusive entry in sailing history. The substantial 24,640-pound displacement and deep 7.05-foot draft provide excellent stability and seaworthiness for serious offshore cruising. The fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration offers a good balance between directional stability and maneuverability, while the masthead sloop rig keeps sail handling relatively straightforward for a boat of this size. The comfort ratio of 39.58 indicates this yacht prioritizes seaworthiness and comfort over speed, making it well-suited for extended offshore passages and serious cruising adventures. The conservative capsize screening formula of 1.64 reinforces its blue-water credentials. While not a racing machine, the Nicholson 45's proven design philosophy emphasizes safety and reliability—hallmarks of the Camper & Nicholson legacy that attracted discerning sailors seeking quality over quantity.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 43.67 ft / 13.31 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
Beam 11.91 ft / 3.63 m
Max Draft 7.05 ft / 2.15 m
Displacement 24,640.00 lb / 11,177 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 730.00 ft² / 67.82 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Camper & Nicholson/Raymond Wall
Builder Camper & Nicholson Ltd.(UK)
First Built 1972
Number Built 5
Related Sailboats ["Oyster 435" · "Peterson 44 Cutter" · "Mason 43" · "Islander 44" · "Shannon 43"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 117
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 13.85
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 335.69
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 39.58
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.64
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.58 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,361.78 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Perkins
Engine Model 4-108
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 37
How It Compares

vs. Islander 44, Mason 43, Peterson 44 Cutter

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nicholson 45 ★
43.7 ft
Islander 44
43.8 ft
Mason 43
43.8 ft
Peterson 44 Cutter
43.8 ft
LWL
Nicholson 45 ★
32.0 ft
Islander 44
32.5 ft
Mason 43
31.3 ft
Peterson 44 Cutter
38.7 ft
Beam
Nicholson 45 ★
11.9 ft
Islander 44
11.0 ft
Mason 43
12.3 ft
Peterson 44 Cutter
12.9 ft
Displacement
Nicholson 45 ★
24 lbs
Islander 44
22 lbs
Mason 43
25 lbs
Peterson 44 Cutter
30 lbs
Ballast
Nicholson 45 ★
—
Islander 44
8 lbs
Mason 43
8 lbs
Peterson 44 Cutter
10 lbs
Sail Area
Nicholson 45 ★
730 sq ft
Islander 44
813 sq ft
Mason 43
771 sq ft
Peterson 44 Cutter
865 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Nicholson 45 ★
117 s/nm
Islander 44
120 s/nm
Mason 43
146 s/nm
Peterson 44 Cutter
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nicholson 45 ★
13.9
Islander 44
16.4
Mason 43
14.5
Peterson 44 Cutter
14.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Nicholson 45 ★
—
Islander 44
35.6 %
Mason 43
33.6 %
Peterson 44 Cutter
33.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nicholson 45 ★
39.6
Islander 44
39.7
Mason 43
39.2
Peterson 44 Cutter
38.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nicholson 45 ★
1.64
Islander 44
1.56
Mason 43
1.68
Peterson 44 Cutter
1.67
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nicholson 45 ★
335
Islander 44
292
Mason 43
365
Peterson 44 Cutter
231
Hull Speed
Nicholson 45 ★
7.6 kts
Islander 44
7.6 kts
Mason 43
7.5 kts
Peterson 44 Cutter
8.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Nicholson 45 ★
—
Islander 44
1.8
Mason 43
1.3
Peterson 44 Cutter
2.1
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