The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999 vs Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999 at 32,1 ft versus Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 at 34,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 tips the scales at 16 535 lbs — 3 307 lbs less than the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999 at 13 228 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 39 hp for the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999 and 54 hp for the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 carries 89 gallons versus 66 gallons in the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 displaces 16 535 lbs — a 3 307-lb difference over the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999 at 13 228 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,1 ft and 5,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999 uses Sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 carries a 54-hp engine against 39 hp on the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 7,3 knots for the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 and 7,0 knots for the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999.
Bottom line: The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 16 535 lbs displacement and 34 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 321 Deep draft Deep draft 1999 at 13 228 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.