Our History

Serving Discerning Clients Since 1949

Nicholson has arranged yacht charters and sales since 1949 — a history few companies in this industry can claim, and one that continues to shape how we work with every client today.

Marina with various yachts moored alongside a rocky coastline and hills in the background, Caribbean setting.

A Foundation Built on Relationships

From the beginning, Nicholson's approach was never about volume — it was about knowing the yachts, the owners, and the destinations well enough to make a genuinely informed recommendation. That principle has carried through every decade since.

Seventy-Five Years of Evolving With the Industry

The yachting world has changed considerably since 1949 — new destinations, new yacht types, new ways of chartering — and Nicholson has evolved alongside it, while holding onto the same personal, expertise-driven approach that built the company's reputation in the first place.

A woman walking with two children along a lush, tropical path lined with greenery, possibly in the Caribbean.

Historical Photo Gallery

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View of a tranquil harbour with several yachts anchored, surrounded by lush greenery and a mountain backdrop.
Our History 2
Aerial view of a coastal landscape with bays and hills in the Caribbean, showcasing potential yacht anchorage.
Dramatic cloud formations over the Caribbean Sea at sunset.
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Tropical shoreline with palm trees and a figure standing on the beach, reflecting a Caribbean destination.
Tropical landscape with palm trees and a winding river, typical of Caribbean cruising destinations.
Our History 10
Sailing yacht anchored in a Caribbean harbor with people walking along a tree-lined path.
A woman walking with two children along a lush, tropical path lined with greenery, possibly in the Caribbean.
Rocky coastline with lush vegetation and waves in a tropical setting, possibly in the Caribbean.
A coastal view featuring a green-hued bay and rocky cliffs on the island of Malta.
Crews of sailing yachts and motor yachts docked in a tranquil Caribbean harbour surrounded by mountains and coastal vegetation.
Coastal village with wooden houses and boats along a calm bay, set against lush hills in the Caribbean.
Coastal town surrounded by mountains with clouds above, viewed from the water in the Caribbean.
The sailing yacht is anchored in a tropical harbour with people handling cargo on the dock amidst colourful houses.
Sailing yachts anchored in a Caribbean bay, with hills and palm trees in the background. A large anchor is in the foreground.
Busy harbour scene with fishing boats and locals in a Caribbean port, surrounded by colourful buildings and lush mountains.
Aerial view of a harbour with several yachts anchored and buildings along the shore in a Caribbean setting.
Coastal village with wooden houses, fishing nets, and boats near lush mountains in the Caribbean.
Harbour view with traditional buildings and lush hills, featuring sailing yachts anchored in the Caribbean waters.
Sailing yachts anchored in a vibrant harbour with shoreline buildings in the background, reflecting in the calm water.
Coastal village with palm trees and beach houses along a waterfront, set against a lush green hillside in the Caribbean.
The coastal village surrounded by lush greenery, with the sailing yacht anchored near the pier in the Caribbean.
Historic ship docked in a Caribbean harbour with lush greenery and yachts visible in the background.
Harbour scene with a bus stop sign and colourful buildings on a hillside in the Caribbean.
Sign for a cordage, sail, canvas, and clothing store on a brick wall with a vintage weight.
Street scene with people and vintage cars, featuring a yellow truck near buildings in a Caribbean port.
A group of people on the shore with buildings and mountains in the background, likely in a Caribbean setting.
A man gazes at a statue in a square, with historic wooden buildings and palm trees in a Caribbean setting.
Historic building with a peaked roof, surrounded by greenery, featuring steps and large windows in Newport, Rhode Island.
Historic buildings and a path in a tropical setting, likely part of a Caribbean port or coastal community.
Historic building framed by greenery and ornamental gates, likely in a Caribbean setting.
Our History 37
Ruins of historical buildings surrounded by greenery on a Caribbean hillside, offering a glimpse of local heritage.
Three men stand outside a white wooden customs and immigration building with a red roof.
Historic illustration of a coastal landscape featuring buildings and a boat at dock, possibly in the Caribbean.
A monkey walking along a dirt road past historic buildings surrounded by palm trees in a Caribbean landscape.
Historic brick building with shutters and tropical foliage, likely in the Caribbean, near a marina or yacht charter location.
A woman and child stand near traditional thatched huts, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant red flowers.
Ruins of a stone building beside a grassy area and coastline, with a mountain backdrop and sailing yachts in the distance.
Historic site entrance with stone and wooden structures in a tropical landscape.
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Our History 49
A local market scene with a cyclist and people carrying goods, set against a historic wooden building.
Our History 52
A man gazes at a statue in front of historic buildings in a Caribbean harbour, with passersby dressed for warm weather.
Four men smiling and walking near a harbour in the Caribbean, with buildings visible in the background.
A group of musicians performing on a Caribbean street, showcasing local culture and community spirit.
Crew members aboard a sailing yacht handling rigging while anchored in a Caribbean setting.
A young girl holding a straw hat and basket stands on a beach with two others near a boat in a Caribbean setting.
Four men in a small boat with a British flag, surrounded by boats in a lively harbour.
A sailor clambers up the mast of a yacht with a cloudy sky in the background.
A man pulls a small wooden boat onto the sandy shore with a sailing vessel anchored in a Caribbean bay.
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Our History 64
Busy market scene in a Caribbean port with people browsing, a vendor stall, and traditional buildings in the background.
Two men mending fishing nets under a canopy, surrounded by woven nets and materials.
Fishermen mending nets under palm trees in a tropical setting, showcasing local maritime culture.
Two crew members on a sailing yacht, one climbing the mast while the other observes the Caribbean coastline.
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Our History 72
A crew member on the side of a sailing yacht, preparing to throw a rope into the blue Caribbean waters.
A group of people socialising at a yacht party, enjoying drinks and conversation in an informal setting.
A group of people socialising at a yacht party, with one man wearing a towel and holding a drink.
Our History 77
A mariner using a sextant aboard a yacht, with sails visible in the background.
Two men smiling with a marina filled with yachts in the background, likely in the Caribbean.
Two men on a yacht deck securing a large fish on board in a nautical setting.
Historic market scene with locals loading goods onto a truck in a Caribbean port. Sunny day with hills in the background.
Our History 83
Crewed charter guests relaxing in the water by a sailing yacht, with palm trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
A group of friends relaxing on the deck of a sailing yacht in clear Caribbean waters.
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Waves breaking alongside a yacht's railing, capturing the essence of sailing in open water.
Deck of a sailing yacht with ropes and tarpaulins in a dynamic sailing environment, possibly in the Caribbean.
View up the mast of a sailing yacht with billowing sails against a blue sky, showcasing rigging and wooden mast details.
The sailing yacht at dock with crew and a rocky hillside in the background, surrounded by a historic port setting.
A small sailing yacht with three individuals sailing in Caribbean waters.
A derelict sailing yacht leaning on its side at a dock, with buildings and palm trees in the background.
The sailing yacht rests at anchor, partially submerged, amidst other vessels in a Caribbean bay.
The sailing yacht Centurion docked, showing her hull and masts, with two men in a small boat alongside.
The sailing yacht with large triangular sails navigates calm waters, surrounded by lush greenery and distant land in the Caribbean.
Deck view of a sailing yacht heeling in choppy waters, showcasing sails and wooden furnishings.
The sailing yacht at anchor near a lush coastline, with mountains in the background and crew preparing for departure.
Sailing yacht at sea, showing the bow and rigging against a backdrop of ocean waves.
Sailing yachts at dock with lush hills in the background, likely in the Caribbean.
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The sailing yacht Aurelius under full sail near a rugged coastline.
Our History 103
The sailing yacht anchored in shallow waters near a verdant island, with a small boat visible in the foreground.
Our History 106
Deck of a sailing yacht with ropes and tarpaulins amidst choppy seas, showcasing the vessel's readiness for cruising.
Looking up at the wooden mast and rigging of a sailing yacht against a cloudy sky.
The sailing yacht anchored off a palm-lined beach in the Caribbean, with lush hills in the background.
Sailing yacht with guests under full sail navigating the Caribbean waters during sunset.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Nicholson been in business?
What makes Nicholson's history relevant to a charter or purchase today?

Contact

Speak with a broker

Ask a Nicholson broker about charter options in this region.

Newport office

56 Bridge Street, Suite 2-West
Newport, Rhode Island 02840

(401) 849-0344
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