Siltala classifies the boat as a “Pilothouse Sailing Yacht” rather than a pure, trawler-style motorsailer. At 34'11" overall, with an 11'4" beam and 16,500 lbs displacement, the Nauticat 35 is a solid, moderately beamy cruiser designed around interior volume and shelter rather than speed around the buoys. Even so, a hard-core fleet has been known to race them on Puget Sound, despite a sales brochure that never mentions racing.
Design and Construction
The hull is hand-laminated, solid GRP in a single-skin construction below the sheerline, with no foam or balsa core in the laminate. Decks and superstructure are cored fiberglass composites. A moderate fin keel carries external lead ballast, while the rudder is partially protected by a skeg and has a pronounced leading-edge fillet.
The raised quarterdeck gives the Nauticat 35 a wedge-like profile that begins high all the way aft. Its flat sheerline draws the eye upward, but the broad wale-stripe, cove-stripe, and double boot-stripe visually lengthen the boat and play down the height of the freeboard. Viewed from the bow, the rake of the pilothouse sides gives the boat a clean, trim appearance.
Forward of the pilothouse, the low, wedge-shaped trunk is shallow enough to leave an essentially flush working deck. Large pilothouse windows appear even bigger because of the careful stainless-steel frame detailing. Despite those windows, numerous opening hatches, and ports, leaks are rare.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
Most Nauticat 35s were sloop-rigged. The mast has double spreaders and fore-and-aft lowers, while a rigid vang works with the mid-boom sheeting to help keep the boom down. Some owners have added an inner forestay for a second headsail.
Using the number-two genoa, the sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 15.3. Calculated using 100% of the foretriangle, it falls below 15.
The low-aspect fin keel and balanced partial-skeg rudder, combined with the easily driven hull, make for a manageable underbody. Two draft options were offered: 4'8" and 5'6", allowing a choice between shoal and deeper configurations.
Steering is hydraulic through a Teleflex/Capilano system. Period testers noted that, despite sailing valves, the near-elimination of rudder feel takes some getting used to.
Under power, the builder lists a speed of eight knots with a solid three-blade propeller driven by the 43-horsepower Volvo through a 2.4-to-1 reduction gear. The boat has a documented range of more than 500 miles under power.
Cockpit and Interior
The Nauticat 35’s interior is arranged for comfortable cruising by two couples. Entering from the cockpit, you step into the main saloon. A large U-shaped dinette sits to port, with engine access beneath the cabin sole. To starboard, the inside steering station provides excellent forward and side visibility.
The dinette is raised to improve sightlines through the pilothouse windows. Its elevated settee seats four comfortably or six at a squeeze.
Forward, the galley is to starboard, with a well-laid-out counter and a refrigerator that opens from both the top and front. A second head is to port, and a V-berth stateroom occupies the bow. However, the galley counter cuts off the forward end of the starboard berth.
From the saloon, a starboard-side door leads aft to the master stateroom, which has a double berth and a small head. There are two small heads in total, and the joinery is excellent throughout.
The raised-quarterdeck cockpit is less successful. Its seats are narrow, their backs are too low, and they stop at the steering pedestal, leaving the helmsperson without back support.
Service Access and Tankage
Service access is better than on most production boats. The engine is reached beneath the saloon sole, and the 106-gallon fuel tanks flank it, keeping their weight near the center of the boat. Water capacity is 132 gallons, supporting extended stays aboard.
Known Issues
The Nauticat 35’s drawbacks are mostly matters of comfort and handling rather than structure. Hydraulic steering removes enough rudder feedback to require an adjustment period for sailors accustomed to mechanical steering. The outside cockpit has narrow seats, low backs, and no back support at the helm. Forward, the galley counter partially obstructs the starboard V-berth.
None of these issues is structural. Leaks from the boat’s extensive glazing are reported to be rare.
The Verdict
The Nauticat 35 is a purposeful pilothouse cruiser that trades racing sparkle for sheltered interior volume and the uncommon combination of inside and outside steering. It is roomy and well built in the Siltala tradition, with an essentially flush foredeck work area and a practical layout for two couples.
Its main compromises are the awkward outdoor cockpit and a hydraulic helm that feels disconnected. For cruisers who value shelter and interior volume over classic styling, however, it remains a considered choice.
Pros
- Spacious interior with excellent joinery
- Inside steering station with excellent visibility
- Solid fiberglass hull and cored deck
- Rare reported leaks despite the large windows
- More than 500 miles of documented range under power
- Centrally located fuel tankage
- Essentially flush foredeck work area ahead of the pilothouse
Cons
- Uncomfortable raised cockpit with no back support at the helm
- Hydraulic steering removes rudder feel
- Galley counter cuts off the forward end of the starboard V-berth
