Wooden Ships Comments on this 43′ Camper and Nicholson Sloop
Camper and Nicholson sloop designed by Charles E. Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholson in 1951. Her build and early years are well documented in Yachting World articles. An all teak hull with splined topsides, teak planking is a big advantage over many other timbers due to its durability and therefore less maintenance work.
Unlike her later C&N sisters, she is slightly narrower in the beam and with more sheer, making her a very elegant boat with her long counter stern.
Fitted with an alloy mast with in-mast furling makes her a very easily handled boat, often sailing single handed even in stronger winds.
The boat comes with a detailed maintenance log going back to 1995 with her diligent previous owner.
For sale again after her recent purchase due to the current owners circumstances meaning he is unable to use the boat.
Part of the National Historic Ships Register. 2022 survey available.
Length on Deck: 43’2″
Length Waterline: 29′
Beam: 9’6″
Draft: 7’2″
Thames Tonnage: 13 TM

Construction
Hull
Carvel planked in 7/8″ teak fastened with copper nails and roves to laminated oak timbers.
In 2022 the topsides were taken back to bare wood and re-splined.
Galvanised strap floors across the centreline. Infloor bolts were replaced using galvanised steel and insulating nylon washers. 2026 the floors were needle gun cleaned, treated and re-painted.
External lead ballast keel with iron keel bolts, last drawn in 2014, 4 bolts replaced using black iron. Bolts tightened 2026.

Decks and Cockpit
Yacht laid teak deck screwed and glued to marine plywood subdeck. She had a canvas sheathed plywood deck when built, this was overlaid with a 14mm teak laid over the ply in 1995.
Teak decks repayed in 2022. New teak capping rail 2022.
New stainless steel pushpit 2025.
Large self draining cockpit with wheel steering on cables. Varnished teak cockpit thwarts and scrubbed teak gratings.

Superstructure
Varnished teak coachroof coamings with a raised dog house aft. Chromed bronze port holes and windows. Coachroof deck is painted plywood replaced in 1995.

Rig
Spars
Fractional bermudan sloop rig on a keel stepped alloy mast.
This replacement mast has in-mast furling, fitted in 2001 to enable him to sail single handed in his later years. The furling system makes for an easily handled mainsail even when sailing alone. The mast has been finished in a paint system carefully specified to give a pleasing traditional wood effect.
Alloy boom, finished in a similar way to the mast.

Standing and Running Rigging
8mm stainless steel standing rigging, new in 2018, to internal galvanised chain plates.
New backstay 2022.
Harken ESP 2 roller furling headsail system new in October 2018.
Staysail boom fitted with self-tacking track but rarely used, can be sailed as a cutter with inner forestay set up. It has been found more effective to sail her as a sloop with a 100% foresail as originally designed.
Single standing back stay. Running backstays on tackles for extra support when inner forestay is being used but in reality are rarely ever needed.
All new halyards in 2016.

Sails
Mainsail: 2018
Jib: 2015
Older sails include Spinnaker, yankee 2002, storm jib, trysail and ghoster.

Winches
Pair of Lewmar 2 speed mast winches.
2 pairs of bronze cockpit sheet winches, primary pair are self tailing geared direct and also with 32:1 worm gear handles.

Machinery
Engine
Perkins 4108 4cyl 43hp diesel engine. Fresh water cooled with a heat exchanger.
The engine was removed in January 2025 and replaced with a like for like rebuilt block and all new ancillary parts including new engine mounts. Now running like a new engine with a fresh paint job, this will serve the boat well for many years to come.
TMP mk4 gearbox with single lever controls to a centreline fixed 3 blade bronze propeller gives 7 knots cruising speed, 9 knots max. New cutlass bearing 2022.

Tanks
30 litre alloy fuel tank under the cockpit sole.

Batteries and Electrics
3 x 12 volt 110ah batteries for domestics and engine starting, and third battery fitted in forepeak for the windlass. All batteries new in 2025.
All charged from engine alternator.
Victron Energy 30 amp Blue Smart Charger fitted new 2026.
Sinewave inverter 1500/3000W new in 2025.

Accommodation
Berths and Headroom
5 berths including 3 singles and a double. 6’6″ headroom in the saloon.

General Description
The interior had a full cosmetic refit in 2022. Solid teak sole boards throughout.
Steps down from the cockpit with galley to port and chart desk to starboard. Engine is under the sole with a slightly raised box.
Chart desk faces outboard with drawers below, all original joinery and fittings including the chromed bronze drawer catches. Large hanging locker forward of chart desk. Galley to port.
Half height bulkhead with vertical grab rail separates off the main saloon. U shaped settee berth to port around a saloon table, Single saloon settee berth to starboard, both with hinged stowage seatbacks above. Bookshelves both sides. Drinks cabinet for bottles and stowage for glasses with serving shelf above flag locker.
Joinery in main saloon is traditional oak panelling including doors. Gimballed oil lamps on the bulkhead. Taylors Victory paraffin cabin heater.
Starboard side passageway going forward with heads compartment to port.
Forward cabin with original joinery in Honduras cedar. Twin V-berths with storage beneath, and infill panel to Port to form double berth. Central anchor locker under the berths. Twin deep wardrobes with cave stowage Port and Starboard.
Forward is a large storage locker accessed via the forehatch on deck, and lazarette stowage above counter aft of cockpit with access below helmsman’s seat.

Galley
Galley has a gimballed Taylors 2 burner paraffin stove with oven. Twin stainless sinks with pressurised cold water to the taps. 12 volt fridge to starboard.

Heads
Jabsco manual sea toilet discharges directly overboard. Hand basin pressurised fresh water.

Equipment
Navigation

Sestrel steering compass
Raymarine i70s wind, log and depth instruments (2022)
Standard Horizon DSC VHF
Simrad autopilot
Garmin 120 GPS
Clock and barometer


Safety

Ocean Safety 4 person life raft (new 2025)
2 x life buoys
Danbuoy
Various fire extinguishers


Ground Tackle

20kg Delta anchor with 55m of 5/16″ chain
15kg CQR kedge anchor with 5m chain and 30m of warp
Quick electric windlass


Sails


Mainsail: Sanders Sailssqft Excellent condition

Jib: Quay Sailssqft Excellent condition

Spinnaker: 400sqft Fair condition
Some older sails


Winches

2 x Lewmar non-self tailing 2 speed mast winches
2 x bronze self tailing primary cockpit sheet winches direct acting and with 32:1 worm drive handles.
2 x bronze non-self tailing secondary cockpit sheet winches
Harken ESP2 roller furling headsail system (2018)
Alloy spinnaker pole stowed on mast
Spruce self-tacking staysail boom


Other gear

Warps
Fenders
Cockpit boom tent
Bunk and berth cushions
Oil cabin lamps
Taylors Victory paraffin cabin heater
Taylors paraffin galley stove
Folding black ball & triangle
Jabsco WC
Teak cockpit table (2022)
Solar panel (2023)
Victron Energy 30 amp Blue Smart Charger fitted new 2026
Sinewave 1500/3000 inverter

This 1951 Camper & Nicholson 43′ sloop is listed for sale in Cornwall, England. With a 43ft layout, inboard engine setup and used condition, this boat is suited to buyers looking for sail options in this location. View full details, photos and specifications for reference RB693525 on Rightboat.