nauiticat 321 or 35?

[Birdseye]

Am toying with buying a Nauticat, as a way of satisfying her requirement for a floating caravan, with my requirement for something thats fun / involving to sail .

I'm sure about her caravan bit, but how do these boats really sail. Could I , for example, indulge in the (very corinthian) club annual regatta? Are they the sort of boat I would chose to helm or are they the sort I would always use the Autohelm with? And is the 321 so much better a sail boat than the 35?

And are they as well made as the price implies or are they over priced?

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[jamesjermain]

You might struggle a bit in the club regatta, however Corinthian, but these boats do, genuinely sail. The S&S 35 would have looked like a real sailing boat but for the large wheelhouse. However, weight was her enemy so, though she handled well, speed to windward in anything less than F4 was best generated by the engine.

The 321 is also designed to sail but again, her deep-bodied hull and high displacement means she is sticky in light airs.

Both boats are comfortable, superby built with lots of good features and plenty of stowage. But don't expect to win races - at least not many.

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[Martin_e]

My dad had a Nauticat 38 S&S ketch. It was heavy but really did sail well. it was a delight with the wheelhouse,water maker,deep freeze,generator,etc.etc. but it did sail well for a motor sailer, with the weight on sail. Nice boat if you have the dosh. he lived on it for six months a year for 10 years. it would make a good family boat. it sailed very well under mizzen and genoa.

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[Birdseye]

Given the basis or choice - my wife's wish for a floating caravan, and my desire for a boat that really sails - do you have any alternative suggestions? How do the Southerlies compare performance wise with the Nauticat deck saloons? Or the Moody Eclispe, of the Oceanis 36cc?

Would appreciate your views.

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[jonjo]

> something that is fun to sail

Birdseye. You could do your own research here. If sail-area/displacement ratios (based on a 100% foretriangle) are available then anything below 16 will not be fun to sail in typical summer English Channel weather, motor sailors are usually below 14. A ratio of over 20 means you will enjoy the annual club regatta.

If formal sail area displacement ratios cannot be found for the designs that interest, compare sail-area/displacement ratios (based on the full genoa) against some well established designs.

Nicholson 35 = a bit docile without a trade wind behind it.
Westerly Fulmar = fun but sensible
35 foot Bavaria or Benneteau = Reef early

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[jamesjermain]

The problem you are going to have is matching the build quality of the Nauticat and none of the boats you have listed come close - the closest is probably the Southerly. This boat is certainly an option with good sheltered accommodation, but her lifting keel can make her wander a bit. She is quicker than a NAuticat but still no racer.
The Moody 33 Eclipse was a very good boat in many ways. Reasonably well built, acceptable performance and good weather protection, she would appear to be a good solution and might just do in not-very-serious club racing.
Another one to consider would be the Hunter Horizon 32, which is a wheelhouse cruiser with good performance.


<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[Birdseye]

Thanks for your comments James. As it happens, it was your report on the Nauticat 321 in YM 2001 that made us think she might be possible. The example you tested had a deep keel and tall mast, which would clearly make performance better than it otherwise might be, and you wrote at the time that she came into the competent cruising category.

I dont want to over emphasise the occasional club race. The key thing is a boat that is fun to sail (which our current cruising cat isnt) but which gives my wife a room with a view, so to speak.

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[Oldhand]

If you do think of buying a 321, ask the seller/agent what it takes to change the engine water pump impeller... 2 hours with much cursing even if done by a professional from what I have heard.

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