Camper Nicholson 43

[Kukri]

I was driving towards Ipswich on the A12 today when I noticed, in the adjacent lane, a very shiny maroon Rolls Royce Silver Cloud two door convertible, whose driver's flat cap matched the fawn of the upholstery to perfection.

The Nic 43 has exactly that "wow factor", for me.

 

[Kukri]

Paints appear to be the same as 2 years ago, when it was advertised in Italy. Apparently it was sold on an auction later for 16k pounds, yet it is for sale again. Something is fishy...

Engine most likely awaiting replacement, +very likely a full refit... I don't believe in free lunch.

At those sorts of prices, worth a plane ticket and, if that checks out, a survey. Classic Plastic is eminently fixable.

 

[GTom]

I have no doubt, that things can be patched up, question is the bill at the end. From the pics, I don't see any serious hull problems, sails, engine/gearbox/propeller shaft, rigging, electronics are in question.

I am absolutely sold on the look but still reluctant about storage space/accommodation. It's a lot of boat length (=berth & maintenance costs) for the storage space of a long LWL 33'-er.

BTW, how does it work if I wanted to enlist an ARC-rally where they need a specific STIX value to prove stability? The boat was manufactured a long time before STIX. (Any idea btw what value to expect? The similar Swan 43 has been assessed and got 38, which is good but not great.

 

[doug748]

At those sorts of prices, worth a plane ticket and, if that checks out, a survey. Classic Plastic is eminently fixable.

It's the wooden bits that lead to expense, I feel. I am guessing they have a timber coachroof like the composite Twisters. There is evidence of a some filler here:

View attachment 64723

On the forward face. If the decks are timber as well, the problems multiply.
As I say, paint, on a boat like, this can be a warning sign. Otherwise it looks great

 

[Shuggy]

Without wishing to sound too much like a pedant, the topsides represent the hull out of the water and they're GRP. The coachroof/cabin trunk is made of teak in a GRP moulding with a balsa core deck.

The issue you will have is that these boats have developed quite a following in the last 2-3 years and the market has become quite tight. There were only 37/38 built and only about 22 still known. They are fantastic to sail and people seem to be picking up on that - and their looks.

Am I missing something here:

http://www.maritima-courtage.fr/?p=439922

Looks too good to be true.


......Just noticed topsides are timber, painted, that may well explain it, paint is often a warning sign.

 

[GTom]

People want more space nowadays, not surprised that the days of these beauties are gone (apart old racing LWL-rules). Besides, I am not so sure that they withstand everything that weather can throw on them, see a recent discussion regarding stability. - Latter came as a surprise to me, because these boats are usually the stars of every "blue water vessel" discussions.

 

[GTom]

Apparently Chance (hull #26) is also for sale: http://www.boats.com/sailing-boats/1971-camper-nicholsons-43-sloop-5890401/

 

[alant]

I was driving towards Ipswich on the A12 today when I noticed, in the adjacent lane, a very shiny maroon Rolls Royce Silver Cloud two door convertible, whose driver's flat cap matched the fawn of the upholstery to perfection.

The Nic 43 has exactly that "wow factor", for me.

Impressed that someones fawn cap is the same shade as upholstery, is a "wow" factor, suggests little imagination on your part, hardly in the same realm as talking about a Nich 43.

 

[Kukri]

I eventually bought a 55 with GRP decks. Since the 43, 45 and 55 are all by the same designer, Ray Wall, and they were all built by Halmatic at around the same time, I’d be interested in discussing points in common - espescially with anyone on the Orwell.

So far as I am aware, the 55s that were built with wooden (well, teak over ply) decks (Lutine, Quailo III, Pacha?) have all been rebuilt (hence Sir RK-J’s remark to a friend who also bought a 55 - “Enjoy the deck leaks!”) but how the GRP decks were built is a puzzle. Folklore suggests balsa core and much rebuilding. The plumbing system seems to involve a lot of very substantial gate valves with solid disc handles that I don’t recognise. Etc...

 

[Uricanejack]

Nice.
The important question.
Should your get a flat cap match the upholstery or the bimini?

 

[Kukri]

Nice.
The important question.
Should your get a flat cap match the upholstery or the bimini?

I think a better question may be “where is the bimini frame that fits in the bimini deck sockets?” but there are quite a few other questions ahead of that one, and the 43, the 45 and the 55 are all pretty similar, which is why I would like to chat to 43 and 45 owners.

 

[Ruy P. Leme]

Hello Everyone!
I just registered into this forum. I recently bought he NIC 43 named INCA I, the number 37 which is the only one in Brazil/South America. I am now in a process of restoration before come back to the sea.
The INCA I has a beautfull red color body and very few itens to replace. I can not wait to be sailling on my boat with my family soon.
Thanks in advance for any advices or recommendations.

 

[Shuggy]

Congratulations Ruy - can I suggest you let Eric know by visiting nicholson43.com so he can keep the details up to date? He has her down as number 34 so it might be worth checking with him.

Hello Everyone!
I just registered into this forum. I recently bought he NIC 43 named INCA I, the number 37 which is the only one in Brazil/South America. I am now in a process of restoration before come back to the sea.
The INCA I has a beautfull red color body and very few itens to replace. I can not wait to be sailling on my boat with my family soon.
Thanks in advance for any advices or recommendations.

 

[dom]

Hello Everyone!
I just registered into this forum. I recently bought he NIC 43 named INCA I, the number 37 which is the only one in Brazil/South America. I am now in a process of restoration before come back to the sea.
The INCA I has a beautfull red color body and very few itens to replace. I can not wait to be sailling on my boat with my family soon.
Thanks in advance for any advices or recommendations.

Hi and welcome.

It might take a few days to sort the admin, but send an internal mail (personal mail) to user "Kukri", He runs a largish and v. pretty Nic - I think - and will be a mine of good info.

 

[Kukri]

Hi and welcome.

It might take a few days to sort the admin, but send an internal mail (personal mail) to user "Kukri", He runs a largish and v. pretty Nic - I think - and will be a mine of good info.

I’m no expert! There are long term owners of 43s who know a hundred times more than I do. I am still stumbling around the foothills of the learning curve.

 

[Shuggy]

I’ve had my Nic 43 since 2009 so I’ve dealt with most problems! Happy to answer questions but I’m definitely not an expert.

 

[Frogmogman]

Hello Everyone!
I just registered into this forum. I recently bought he NIC 43 named INCA I, the number 37 which is the only one in Brazil/South America. I am now in a process of restoration before come back to the sea.
The INCA I has a beautfull red color body and very few itens to replace. I can not wait to be sailling on my boat with my family soon.
Thanks in advance for any advices or recommendations.

Congratulations Ruy. Very elegant looking boat. I rather like the doghouse over the main hatch; neat job.

 

[Kukri]

I’ve had my Nic 43 since 2009 so I’ve dealt with most problems! Happy to answer questions but I’m definitely not an expert.

(In chorus...)

“Oh yes he is!!!”?

 

[dom]

(In chorus...)

“Oh yes he is!!!”?

Lol, you Nic guys do a great impersonation of Ronnie O'Sullivan - "Yeh, which way around does the cue go again?"

?

 

[Shuggy]

Ah well - rather than shouting out, "oh no he isn't", here's a gratuitous photo instead, courtesy of my friend Alastair Khaliq: