The Nauticat 33 Sailboat

The Nauticat 33 is no longer in production. The last Nauticat 33 was built in 1996 after a production run of almost 30 years, during which more than 1200 Nauticat 33s were built.

There were two main versions of the Nauticat 33: the MkI and the MkII. The MkI boats (pre-1977 with hull numbers 1 to 440) had a long shoal-draft, encapsulated keel and a wooden wheelhouse. The MkII boats (post-1977 with hull numbers 441 to 1265) had a shorter fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder and a fibreglass wheelhouse. In addition, some MkII boats had a raised aft deck as an option. An updated model, the Nauticat 331, was introduced in 1997.

The Nauticat 331 is a newer and slightly larger version of the Nauticat 33, built by the same Finnish company, Siltala Yachts. It has a length of 10.4 m (34'1") compared to the Nauticat 33's 10.1 m (33'2"). It also has a deeper fin keel with a draft of 1.48 m (4'10") compared to the Nauticat 33's 1.4 m (4'7") or 1.8 m (5'11"). The Nauticat 331 has a similar layout and design as the Nauticat 33, but with some modern updates and improvements. The Nauticat 331 was built between 1999 and 2018, while the Nauticat 33 was built between 1966 and 1994.

The sailing press generally gave positive reviews to the Nauticat 33, praising its quality, comfort, and seaworthiness. For example, Yachting Monthly described the Nauticat 33 as "an attractive and solid motorsailer that will cruise at around 5 knots" and "a boat that will look after you in all weathers". 

The builders of the Nauticat 33 were Siltala Yachts, a family-owned company founded by Pentti Siltala in Finland in 1964. Siltala Yachts specialised in producing motorsailers under the brand name Nauticat. The company was one of the leading manufacturers of motorsailers in Europe, with more than 2800 boats delivered to over 40 countries. Unfortunately, Siltala Yachts ceased operations in 2018 due to financial difficulties.

The Nauticat 33 can sleep up to six people on board, depending on the layout. The standard layout has two double cabins: one forward with a V-berth and one aft with an offset double berth. There is also a convertible dinette in the saloon that can be turned into another double berth. Some boats may have different layouts, such as a single berth in the aft cabin or a U-shaped dinette in the saloon.

The Nauticat 33 has two keel options: a long keel and a fin keel. The long keel is found on the MkI boats and has a draft of 1.4 m (4'7"). The fin keel is found on the MkII boats and has a draft of 1.8 m (5'11"). The long keel offers more stability and directional stability, while the fin keel offers more maneuverability and performance.

The Nauticat 33 is not a fast or agile sailboat, but rather a steady and comfortable one. It is designed to handle rough seas and strong winds with ease, thanks to its heavy displacement, high freeboard, and powerful engine. It is also well-balanced and easy to sail, with good visibility from both the cockpit and the wheelhouse. The Nauticat 33 is ideal for long-distance cruising, coastal hopping, or living aboard.

The average cost of a secondhand Nauticat 33 varies depending on the age, condition, equipment, and location of the boat. According to YachtWorld, the current price range for a used Nauticat 33 is from £29,950 to £79,950, with an average price of £49,950.