Back to Search
Nicholson 70
Designer: Camper & Nicholson/Ray Wall  ·  Builder: Camper & Nicholson  ·  First built: 1975
+ Add to Compare
About the Nicholson 70

Bearing the distinguished Camper & Nicholsons name, the Nicholson 70 represents the upper end of a pedigree British boatbuilding tradition with a long-standing reputation for producing capable, well-found ocean cruisers. Camper & Nicholsons, one of the oldest and most respected yacht yards in the world, brought generations of offshore sailing expertise to their designs, and the Nicholson 70 reflects that heritage in a substantial bluewater package. Built for serious offshore and ocean passage-making, this is a boat aimed squarely at experienced sailors who demand comfort and seakeeping ability over long distances. The Nicholson line has historically been celebrated for its robust construction, sea-kindly hulls, and thoughtful deck layouts that make handling manageable for a small crew on extended voyages. These are not racing machines but thoroughbred cruising yachts built to inspire confidence far from shore. For anyone researching a capable bluewater cruiser with genuine provenance and a respected name behind it, the Nicholson 70 warrants serious consideration. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek a thorough survey, as with any older vessel of this calibre.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 70.00 ft / 21.34 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 54.50 ft / 16.61 m
Beam 17.08 ft / 5.21 m
Max Draft 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
Displacement 111,700.00 lb / 50,666 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Camper & Nicholson/Ray Wall
Builder Camper & Nicholson
First Built 1975
Number Built 7
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Nicholson 70? Submit a known issue

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
48
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
308.05
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. 19.95 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 13.87
J (Foretriangle Base) 25.90 ft / 7.89 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 2,000.00 ft² / 185.81 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 308.05
How It Compares

vs. Ocean 75, Swan 65 Ss Ketch, Swan 651

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nicholson 70 ★
70.0 ft
Ocean 75
75.0 ft
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
64.6 ft
Swan 651
65.7 ft
LWL
Nicholson 70 ★
54.5 ft
Ocean 75
60.0 ft
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
47.0 ft
Swan 651
55.1 ft
Beam
Nicholson 70 ★
17.1 ft
Ocean 75
17.3 ft
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
16.3 ft
Swan 651
17.5 ft
Displacement
Nicholson 70 ★
111 lbs
Ocean 75
85 lbs
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
70 lbs
Swan 651
75 lbs
Ballast
Nicholson 70 ★
Ocean 75
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
30 lbs
Swan 651
31 lbs
Sail Area
Nicholson 70 ★
Ocean 75
2 sq ft
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
1 sq ft
Swan 651
2 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nicholson 70 ★
Ocean 75
21.9
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
17.0
Swan 651
18.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Nicholson 70 ★
Ocean 75
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
43.7 %
Swan 651
42.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nicholson 70 ★
Ocean 75
46.1
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
50.4
Swan 651
44.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nicholson 70 ★
Ocean 75
1.58
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
1.58
Swan 651
1.66
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nicholson 70 ★
308
Ocean 75
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
300
Swan 651
201
Hull Speed
Nicholson 70 ★
Ocean 75
10.4 kts
Swan 65 Ss Ketch
9.2 kts
Swan 651
9.9 kts
Find a Nicholson 70 For Sale