For Sale – Nicholson 40AC “Dream Lady” (1986)
A rare opportunity to own a classic British-built blue water cruiser in exceptional condition.

Dream Lady is hull number 19 of just 20 Nicholson 40ACs ever built by the renowned Camper & Nicholsons. Launched in 1986 and continually maintained and upgraded, she offers serious ocean-going performance with elegant styling and remarkable build quality. Currently lying on the River Dart at Dart Marina, viewing is highly recommended to appreciate the standard of finish and care she has received.

She was completely stripped and epoxy-treated in 2009, with renewed gelcoat topsides, teak decks, upgraded engine, rigging, electronics, heating, and upholstery—making her one of the most comprehensively refitted Nicholson 40s on the market.

ACCOMMODATION

Sleeps six in two double berths, one single berth, and a saloon quarter berth.
Refined, warm interior with beautiful teak joinery, Alcantara upholstery, and tailored carpets.

Saloon

• Blue Alcantara upholstery

• Removable tailored carpets

• Curtains throughout, hatch blinds

• Clock, barometer, inclinometer

• Hidden 17" Avtex TV

• Fusion stereo with Bluetooth

• LED lighting, 240V sockets

• Large chart table with quarter berth behind

Forward Cabin

• Double berth with privacy door

• Ample standing space and storage

• Opening hatch

Galley

• Eno gas cooker with oven, grill, 2-burner hob

• Isotherm fridge

• Double sink with manual freshwater pump

• Gas detector, water filter system

Heads

• Lavac toilet (new 2024)

• Shower with sump pump (new 2022)

• Extractor fan, shaving point

MECHANICAL & SYSTEMS

Engine

• Yanmar 4JH4AE 45hp (2009), 1,150 hours

• V-drive, 3-blade feathering propeller (2024)

• Two-stage fuel filtration, new gearbox (2024)

• Webasto diesel heating (2011)

• Vetus bow thruster

Electrical

• 3 x 120Ah Rolls AGM service batteries (2021)

• 2 x 120Ah starter batteries

• 12V & 240V with shore power

• Mastervolt battery monitor

• Immersion heater and calorifier

Tankage

• Fuel: 254L

• Water: 682L

• Pressurised hot and cold water

DECK, RIGGING & SAILS

Construction

• Hull #19 of 20

• Teak decks and coachroof (2010)

• Epoxy below waterline (2009)

• Re-gelcoated topsides in original colour

• New plastic seacocks (2024)

Rig

• Ketch rig with removable inner forestay

• Standing rigging (2008), Running rigging (2024)

• Single-line reefing, all lines led aft

• Harken roller furling on genoa

• Main and mizzen masts with folding steps

• Stacpack & lazy jacks (2024)

Sails

• Mainsail (Ullman 2009) – valeted 2024

• Mizzen staysail (Ullman 2009) – valeted 2024

• Genoa (Westaway 2011) – valeted 2024

• Stacpack checked and valeted 2024

• Sprayhood and cockpit enclosure (2024)

• Dodgers, hatch covers

Winches

• Lewmar 44 primaries

• Lewmar 30 spinnaker

• Lewmar 16 and 8 on mizzen

NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATIONS

Chart Table

• Raymarine E120 widescreen plotter/radar (2015)

• AIS 650 (2015), ICOM M506 VHF

• Original Sailor RT20047 VHF

• Meteo Man, McMurdo NAV7 Navtex

• Echomax radar enhancer

• Tank tender, 12V outlet, isolation switches

Cockpit/Helm

• Raymarine E80 widescreen

• ST60 instruments (depth, log, wind)

• Raymarine ST7002 autopilot (smart pilot)

• Olympic 135 compass

• VHF command mic at helm

• Fusion stereo & speakers

• Deck lights on main and mizzen

INVENTORY & GENERAL EQUIPMENT

• Lofrans Tigres electric windlass (bow-mounted, remote control)

• Delta 25kg anchor with 50m chain

• Fenders, warps

• Stainless pushpit, pulpit, lifelines

• Full teak gunwale with access gates

• Varnished cockpit table with cover

• Cockpit cushions

• 2.4m dinghy + 2.3hp Honda outboard

• Pushpit outboard bracket

• Large lazerette locker

• 4-man liferaft (new 2024)

• Jon Buoy, horseshoe life ring

• LED nav lights

• Automatic bilge pump, 2 x manual pumps

• 3 x fire extinguishers

Summary:
Dream Lady is a yacht that stands proudly apart from the crowd—one of the finest examples of classic British blue water cruising available today. With timeless lines, outstanding construction, and an impressive inventory, she is ready for serious offshore adventures or elegant coastal cruising.

Lying: River Dart
Viewings: By appointment – highly recommended