Camper & Nicholsons

Few companies in the yachting industry can boast a heritage as rich as Camper & Nicholsons Yachts, which builds “retro” luxury commuter yachts from 14 to 23.65 metres. The shipyard also is offering a 42-meter superyacht series in collaboration with an Italian builder.

History

Camper & Nicholsons Yachts finds its origins in the shipyard founded in Gosport, England, in 1782 by Frances Amos. In 1809, Amos’ great-nephew, William Camper, joined and became his apprentice. Ben Nicholson also joined the yard as an apprentice, in 1842. Both men worked their way up to leadership positions, and the shipyard was rechristened Camper & Nicholson in 1863. (The final “s” was added to “Nicholsons” when Ben Nicholsons’ three sons later joined the company.)

Camper & Nicholsons became known for its fast, wooden racing sailing yachts, which included the famed J-Class sloops that competed in the America’s Cup Races of the early 20th century, including two J-Class boats commissioned by Sir Thomas Sopwith, Endeavour and Endeavour II. Camper & Nicholsons also built the 80.2-metre luxury Motor Yacht Philante for Sopwith in 1937.

In 2001, Nautor Holding, the Finnish firm that also owns Nautor’s Swan, acquired Camper & Nicholsons Yachts, the luxury yacht-building shipyard. The yacht builder now is a wholly separate business from Camper & Nicholsons International, which offers yacht brokerage, charter and management services.

Notable Yachts

Camper & Nicholsons Yachts’ 16.65-meter Velsheda 50, which launched in 2013, is a luxury commuter yacht with a deep-V hull designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates.  She offers comfortable accommodations for up to six guests.

Specialisations

Camper & Nicholsons Yachts offer four luxury commuter yacht models built of advanced composites. They are named after famous yachts launched by the shipyard during yachting’s “Golden Age” – the Endeavour 42, Velsheda 50, Shamrock 60 and Gelyce 80. The shipyard also has developed plans for a displacement superyacht, the 42-metre Filante 42, with naval architecture by Horacio Bozzo, which will be built by ISA Yachts in Italy.