Nauticat information

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123andy

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In my search for what I feel is the right boat for me I have narrowed it down to Nauticats, but I am pondering over the choice between the traditional motorsailers and the pilothouse yacht. I am looking at 1980s models of the 40,42,43&44. I know they all have their different characteristics but I am interested in peoples personal experiences of them. Good points, bad points, what to look out for when viewing them, any useful information really. Our intention is liveaboard, Greece and beyond ( yes the usual dream !! ) but its only 12 months away now and things are falling into place. Please feel free to PM me.
 
Welcome to the forum - I admire you taste in yachts /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It would take ages to answer your question fully and one would need to know much more.... My wife and I live on our N42 permanently (no house) presently in the western Med (Spain). The N42 has excellent sailing performance and truly outstanding living accommodation for the two of us with occasional visitors. Ours did a circumnavigation before we bought her and she is still in magnificent condition.

Diesel is going to continue to go up so unless your budget is unlimited I think you'd do best by going for a true sailing yacht rather than a motor-sailor. i.e. look at N42 and N43. There are a few N43s on the market in your age range. They will probably be less expensive to buy in the Med.
 
NC44. Without a question the best boat I have ever owned. Went to the boat show this year loked round the lot and there was'nt a boat that came close. Its got space, safety for the kids with that rail and deep scuppers. The shelter of the wheelhouse is a godsend after thrashing around the Irish Sea in open cockpit boats for 30yrs The Aft deck is big enough to throw a real party on if you want.

I motorsailed to Lagos in portugal two years ago from Liverpool,
straight down in six days. Used just over a gallon an hour (ford lehman 120hp) if you want just sail she's a really good sailer too.

In the heat of the south the roof of the wheelhouse slides back and you get fresh air and shelter from the sun.

When I first saw her my wife was not impressed, she had visions of a shiny new froggy tuperware machine, however was completely sold when there was the vendors, two marina agents myself and her, all stood up around the 4 poster in the aft cabin.(complete with walk in wardrobe, fitted drawers, en-suite w.c- Lady Heaven, lets me get on with the boaty bits))

Beleza is dripping with teak, not very green nowadays, there's at least half a rainforest in the vessel but a quick wipe over with deks and its like new.

Theyre bringing out a new one soon the 441, but it will be all teak cappings on ply, they will bill you best part of 500k ex factory for one and that makes the 80-120k you'll pay for an 80's vintage the bargain of the century.

Go on treat yourself. you will not regret it.
 
"There is no perfect cruising boat; every boat is a compromise and you have to find the compromise that works for you". While finding your own perfect compromise, you have to ascertain what is important to you. The Nauticats are indeed beautifully built boats. However, you mention that you plan to sail "Greece and beyond" which would make me question if you have considered all facets of this choice?

The design brief for the NC's are to build boats that will lengthen the short cold sailing season in the Baltic. This they do beautifully and you will find Nauticats sailing around the cold Baltic hot and snug even in ice conditions. However, this design brief does not necessarily work as well in hot climates. In the Med, you want to cool the boat ten month out of the year and the huge window areas of a Nauticat makes that difficult. The few boats of this type you see in warm climates either have all their windows covered off (so what is the point then??) or they will have the mother of all aircon units powered by a huge genset, making them very unpopular in secluded anchorages.

In summary, I would love to have a Nauticat in Northern Europe. Not so sure it works in warm climates. At least, I have yet to meet an owner that thinks it is a good idea if they are not attached to masses of shore power.
 
Re: Nauticats

Deary me, Lady Jessie they have sun screens over windows to keep the sun from spoiling the upholstery and brightwork when the owners are not on board. we only put sun covers on when we leave the boat.

We live on ours in the summer in the algarve, wheelhouse roof and doors open, sun screen/ wind scoop strung off the boom and the wheelhouse is a great place to be. No we havn't got AC thought about it but a good scoop is far better and we are usually at anchor and small genset so no masses of shore or any other power anyway.

The other point about them being rolly I have to tentatively agree with but only when going down wind with a quartering sea astern easily sorted with correct sail balance. Did a trip in an NC38 once that did roll badly in those conditions and nearly put me off the breed for life. But mine, the 44, doesn't, though like a lot of boats of her traditional style, deep long keel, narrow beam compared with your modern caravans on keels she does tend to sail at a higher angle of heel but then I don't have to but a reef in at 15 knots to stop her falling over.

Personal choice really, more space and usable space at that of a modern boat, faster under engine, sails tolerably well, beautifully built, nice wheelhouse to keep cosy and dry in. the list goes on. We've made a lot friends in modern boats and just about all of them went off back to their boats converted to the joys of the Nauticat. But perhaps the wine had something to do with that!
 
Re: Nauticats

hmmm, I tend to agree with your comments particularly about the heat. With the wheel house having a large door either side and either two roof hatches or one large one there's much more ventilation than going down into those holes down below. No offense to owners of those boats, but once you're used to a large wheel house, not having one just seems...... weird!

I'm interested in your comment about a rolly NC38. I have one and don't find it especially rolly. What year was it?

Being higher up on a poop deck rather than down with yer bum next to the water is obviously going to have the effect of more roll, however, you're now comparing boating styles again and when you're at that point where you want to say, "ok, enough weather and motion", off you go to the wheel house and now you are in the centre of the boat with your feet just above water level. Perfect!

So as a live-aboard I know what I'm happiest with.

Andy - My 38 is the 'live-aboard layout' which has a larger galley in place of the lower seating area. Again, all personal perferences, but I don't want two tables to sit at and mess up. I'd much rather have more galley space with a fridge, freezer and more cupboards. There are fewer of these designs out there but it's worth looking out for.

Another consideration of the wheel house over the pilot house is access to the engine bay. In the motor sailer the entire wheel house floor opens up giving the best access to an engine bay I've ever come across. Again, because it's what I'm now used to, it would do my nut in to have to work around nooks and crannies to service stuff. Being 6'3" doesn't help but even I have no problems sitting inside the bay right next to the engine with loads of space all round for battery boxes etc etc... even one of those 'huge generators' somebody mentioned.

Good luck with your search Andy, and great choice!
 
Re: Nauticats

Nautibusby

Twas an early 38, the Rolyness was I believe purely down to the sea state, wind - F7/8 3 days solid, and the down wind nature of our course, but the killer was the skipper, who wouldn't deviate from this course, but when the skip locked himself in the rear cabin and wouldn't come out, we tacked off the wind a bit and problem sorted. no more roll. The experience did put me off Nauticats for some time, But then Belza happened and I feel like a chastened suitor returning to a loved one.

Good point about the aft deck being higher emphasizing roll. Engine room access - brilliant.

We used a wind scoop the size of a bedsheet over the wheel house sliding roof last summer 100deg out 75 deg in - just nice!,
gave good sun shelter too. we have a awning the cover the entire aft deck, bit like being in sideless Marquee at a garden party, again cool and airy, great for parties, I think the modern boat people are a bit jealous

Beleza has the lower saloon as well as the wheel house. The galley is as big as most small houses. When friends come aboard we gravitate to the wheelhouse or aft deck on warm nights, the kids playing computer games or watching telly in the saloon. The kids tend to sleep either on the aft deck, fore deck in the wheel house or saloon. The fore cabin is rarely used. I don't think there are many 40 odd footers where you can let kids sleep on the fore deck at anchor, or even in a marina come to that.

All in all for me she is the ideal boat. A guest on ours who has never sailed before, went on a side trip on a friends bendytoy 42 and she came back muttering that it was small and pokey and felt like it was about to fall over all the time. She never ventured on to the fore deck of the bendytoy. she did however spend a lot of time on the bowsprit of Beleza doing titanic impressions. just shows how secure you feel in this boat.


Ok they might have a reputation for being a bit country cottage, (yes we do have a garden seat on the aft deck, and if I knew how to post photos on this think I'd prove it!) staid and old fashioned, good in my book, it means there are more left for the people that appreciate them.
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andy pm'd you with contact details
 
Re: Nauticats

Well, thanks to everyone for their contribution. Some interesting points, and I'm still pondering but with lots more info. By the way, can anyone throw in a few ballpark figures for insurance and yearly average upkeep.
 
Re: Nauticats

I used to have a Fisher and bought a Nauticat 38 last year. Spent 3 months on her in the summer and they are great. Mine does not seem to roll, well at least not compared to the Fisher. She sails ok too.

Perfect internal layout, enough room to keep yourself to yourself when you want. Easy to handle - the rear steering position being high up is a real advantage as you can see exactly where the front is.
 
Re: Nauticats

Just to add to the mix.
I have a seastream 34 Pilot house ketch, absolutely superb pure sailor.
Take a look at the Seastream 43 for a wonderful option to the NC, although I cant fault the NC's.. super boats.
See if you can find pics of the seastream 43 though fro comparsion.
Joe
 
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