Description

Built by Camper & Nicholsons in Gosport in 1977, CALYPSO is a beautifully maintained Nicholson 39 Ketch offering genuine blue-water cruising capability. Extensively upgraded with a Beta Marine engine, Victron lithium electrical systems, Starlink connectivity and comprehensive Raymarine navigation equipment, she presents an exceptional opportunity for offshore cruising, liveaboard use and extended passagemaking.
CALYPSO

1977 CAMPER & NICHOLSON 39 KETCH
OVERVIEW
Built by the renowned Camper & Nicholsons yard in Gosport, Hampshire, CALYPSO is a beautifully maintained Nicholson 39 Ketch offering classic blue-water cruising credentials combined with a host of modern upgrades. Designed for serious offshore passagemaking, comfortable liveaboard use and extended cruising, she presents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Britain’s most respected cruising yachts.
Constructed in 1977 and benefitting from significant investment throughout her ownership, CALYPSO features a Beta Marine 60hp engine installed in 2017, comprehensive Victron lithium electrical systems, Starlink connectivity, Raymarine navigation equipment and upgraded heating systems. With comfortable accommodation for six, substantial tankage and extensive recent maintenance, she is ready to continue exploring far beyond the Solent.
PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS

Builder: Camper & Nicholsons Ltd
Model: Nicholson 39 Ketch
Vessel Name: CALYPSO
Year: 1977
Hull Number: 39028
Construction: GRP
Location: Gosport, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Length Overall (LOA): 11.80m
Beam: 3.50m
Draft: 1.68m
Displacement: Approx. 11.6 Tonnes
ENGINE & MECHANICAL

Powered by a Beta Marine 60hp diesel engine installed in 2017 and showing approximately 630 engine hours.
Features Include:
Beta Marine 60hp diesel engine
Approx. 630 engine hours
PRM150 gearbox
Recently serviced
Additional 250A alternator
Max-Prop feathering propeller
Rope cutter fitted
Vetus 3kW bow thruster
Dedicated bow thruster battery
Lofrans 1500W electric anchor windlass
Recent Works
New cutlass bearing fitted April 2026
New stern gland and seal fitted April 2026
Antifouled April 2026
Blake’s seacocks serviced April 2026
Recent engine service
TANKAGE

Fuel Capacity: 255 Litres
Fresh Water Capacity: 500 Litres
Black Water Holding Tank: 80 Litres
Grey Water Tank: 25 Litres with automatic pump-out
Calorifier Capacity: 50 Litres
HEATING & HOT WATER

CALYPSO benefits from a comprehensive hot water and heating system designed for comfortable year-round cruising.
Systems Include:
Diesel warm-air cabin heating
Webasto diesel-fired wet heating system
Heated towel rail in heads
Hot water supplied via:
Main engine
Webasto heating system
Shore power immersion heater
ACCOMMODATION

Comfortable accommodation for up to six guests.
Forward Cabin
Twin berths
Storage lockers
Main Saloon
Twin berths
Traditional Nicholson interior joinery
LED lighting throughout
Aft Owner’s Cabin
Twin berths
Double memory foam mattress
Excellent storage
Heads
Electric marine toilet
Separate shower compartment
Heated towel rail
The vessel also benefits from insulated headlining throughout, improving comfort and reducing condensation during extended cruising.
GALLEY

The practical galley has been upgraded for liveaboard and extended cruising use.
Features Include:
Recently installed gas cooker
Large fridge/freezer
Domestic washing machine
Twin 6kg propane bottle locker
Bamboo galley worktops
Galley extractor fan
Recent gas safety certification
RIG & SAIL HANDLING

Ketch rigged and equipped for short-handed cruising.
Sail Inventory
Mainsail
Mizzen sail
Two genoas
Asymmetric cruising chute
Sail Handling Equipment
Three-point slab reefing system
Stack pack fitted to mainsail
Stack pack fitted to mizzen sail
Lewmar 45 primary sheet winches
Lewmar 16 mast winches
Additional Lewmar sail handling winches
Granny bars fitted around main mast
Standing rigging was replaced in 2017.
DECK EQUIPMENT & GROUND TACKLE

Designed with practical offshore cruising in mind.
Features Include:
Canvas sprayhood
Full cockpit enclosure
Cockpit tent connected directly to sprayhood
20kg Rocna anchor
55 metres of 8mm anchor chain
22 metres of 16mm anchor warp
Lofrans 1500W electric windlass
Side rail mounted solar panels
NOA solar mounting brackets
Teak decks have been professionally maintained and treated with preservative throughout ownership.
NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT

Well-equipped with modern Raymarine navigation systems.
Navigation Suite
Raymarine Axiom 9 chartplotter
Raymarine Type 2 autopilot drive
Raymarine EV-1 heading sensor
Raymarine p70 autopilot controller
Raymarine i70 wind and depth display
Raymarine AIS transceiver
Dedicated AIS antennas
Raytheon radar system
COMMUNICATIONS

Starlink Gen 2 satellite internet
ICOM VHF radio
Handheld VHF radio
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Substantially upgraded Victron lithium electrical system.
Features Include:
280Ah lithium battery bank
300A Battery Management System
Victron MultiPlus 12/3000/120 inverter charger
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 controller
Victron Cerbo GX monitoring system
Victron DC shunt monitoring
Dedicated monitoring display
Two 200W monocrystalline solar panels
400W total solar generation
Dedicated 30W engine start battery solar panel
Main engine battery isolator
Domestic battery isolator
Custom switch panel
Breaker and fused distribution panel
LED lighting throughout vessel
LED navigation lighting
SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Liferaft mounted in stern rail cradle
Liferaft replaced April 2024
EPIRB fitted
EPIRB battery valid until 2032
Recently certified gas installation
Granny bars fitted around mast
MAINTENANCE HISTORY

Notable Upgrades & Works
Beta Marine engine installed 2017
Standing rigging replaced 2017
Liferaft replaced April 2024
Antifouled April 2026
Blake’s seacocks serviced April 2026
New cutlass bearing fitted April 2026
New stern gland and seal fitted April 2026
Recent engine service
Recent gas safety certificate
Survey available from January 2023
KEY FEATURES

Classic Camper & Nicholsons blue-water cruising yacht
Built in Gosport, Hampshire
Beta Marine 60hp engine (2017)
Approx. 630 engine hours
Standing rigging replaced 2017
Max-Prop feathering propeller
Rope cutter
Vetus bow thruster
Lofrans electric windlass
Comprehensive Victron lithium electrical system
400W solar charging
Starlink internet connectivity
Raymarine navigation suite
Raymarine AIS transceiver
Webasto heating system
Liferaft replaced 2024
EPIRB valid until 2032
Full cockpit enclosure
Insulated headlining throughout
Six-berth accommodation
Ideal for offshore cruising, liveaboard use and extended passagemaking
Survey available
Lying afloat in Gosport and ready for her next adventure
BROKER’S COMMENTS
CALYPSO represents a rare opportunity to acquire a genuinely capable offshore cruising yacht from one of Britain’s most respected yacht builders. Combining classic Camper & Nicholsons pedigree with thoughtful modern upgrades, extensive recent maintenance and impressive self-sufficiency systems, she is equally suited to coastal cruising, liveaboard life or extended offshore passages.
Ready to sail and presented with a specification rarely found on vessels of this age, CALYPSO offers timeless styling, exceptional build quality and the reassurance of substantial investment in all the areas that matter.

Specifications

Location Map