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Nicholson 43

Camper & Nicholsons · 1969 · Sloop rig

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Nicholson 43 profile drawing
LOA43.25'
Beam11.5'
Draft6.75'
Displ.9.9t
Rigsloop
HullFiberglass

Bluewater Evidence · Ocean Proven

95% confidence
Doc.CapableProven

John Neal's Boats to Consider for Ocean Cruising lists the Nicholson 43, rated 2 of 5: 'Famous yard, long out of business. Very seaworthy but watch for consistent serious blister problems on all models once in warm waters.' Its capsize screen value is 1.70. 2 named boats of this design have finished the 628-mile Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in the official results: Patrice (1970, 1972 and 1973), Pandora (1974 and 1975).

Overview

The Nicholson 43 was Raymond Wall’s first fiberglass production design for Camper & Nicholsons and was named Boat of the Show at the 1969 London Boat Show. sailboatdata.com records 37 built.

Design and Construction

It has a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder, 43.25 ft overall on a 30 ft waterline, a narrow 11.5 ft of beam and 6.75 ft of draft. Displacement is 19,842 lb with 9,900 lb of ballast, about half the boat’s weight, and the masthead sloop carries about 867 sq ft.

Ocean Racing Record

Patrice (R.J.Kirby) finished the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 1970, 1972 and 1973. Pandora (H.James) finished the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 1974 and 1975.

Buyers Notes

John Neal rates C&N boats 2 of 5: very seaworthy, but prone to serious blistering in warm water (see Known Issues).

Passage records

Patrice· R.J.Kirby1973

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1970, 1972, 1973

Finished 3 times (line honours places 29, 25, 34).

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1973 results

Pandora· H.James1975

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1974, 1975

Finished 2 times (line honours places 24, 75).

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1975 results

Emily2017

Rolex Fastnet Race (2015, 2017)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Rolex Fastnet Race 2017 results

Wishstream II2003

Rolex Fastnet Race (2003)

Finished.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Rolex Fastnet Race 2003 results

Ringtail2002

ARC (2002)

Finished.

Source: World Cruising Club: ARC 2002 results

Wishstream II2003

RORC Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race (2003)

Finished.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Cowes-Dinard-St Malo 2003 results

Known Issues

BlistersseriousPassageBoats editorial

Neal warns of consistent, serious blister problems on all Camper & Nicholsons models once kept in warm water.

Inspection: Have the bottom moisture-tested and inspected for blisters and any past osmosis treatment, especially on boats from warm waters.

Source: John Neal - Boats to Consider for Ocean Cruising

  1. [1]SpecificationsNICHOLSON 43 - SailboatData.com- Dimensions, displacement, ballast, sail area, keel, rig, designer and builder.
  2. [2]MagazineYachting Monthly - Eight bells for C&N yacht designer Raymond Wall- Wall's career; the Nicholson 43 as his first GRP production design and 1969 Boat of the Show.
  3. [3]EditorialJohn Neal - Boats to Consider for Ocean Cruising (Mahina)- Lists the Nicholson 43, rated 2 of 5.
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