The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 vs Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 37 2002 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 351 2006 at 34,1 ft versus Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 37 2002 at 36,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 37 2002 tips the scales at 20 944 lbs — 4 409 lbs less than the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 at 16 535 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 — 54 hp for the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 and 54 hp for the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 37 2002. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 89 gal and 89 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 37 2002 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 37 2002 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 37 2002 displaces 20 944 lbs — a 4 409-lb difference over the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 at 16 535 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 6,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 7,7 knots for the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 37 2002 and 7,3 knots for the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006.
Bottom line: The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 37 2002 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 20 944 lbs displacement and 36 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 at 16 535 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.