The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 vs Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 385 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 385 2006 measures 38,2 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006 at 34,1 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 385 2006 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 385 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. 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 385 2006 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 385 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 385 2006 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 385 2006 and 7,3 knots for the Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 351 2006.
Bottom line: The Nauticat Yachts Nauticat 385 2006 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 20 944 lbs displacement and 38 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.