The Nauticat 38 is a classic staysail ketch. This rig is one of the main reasons the boat works so well as a long-distance motorsailer and liveaboard for a couple (or for single-handed sailing).
In this page we go through the rig configuration, the sails we use on Maja, how we handle them in practice, reefing, and the upgrades we have made or plan to make. Almost everything is illustrated with videos from our YouTube channel.
The Staysail Ketch Rig
The Nauticat 38 is designed as a staysail ketch (also called a cutter-ketch by many owners).
This means:
- A main mast with mainsail
- A mizzen mast with mizzen sail
- A forestay with a large genoa (usually on a furler)
- An inner forestay (cutter stay / staysail stay) that can carry a staysail or a heavy-weather jib
The combination gives several practical advantages for a heavy displacement boat:
- You can balance the boat very well by using different combinations of sails
- In stronger winds you can drop the mainsail and sail on genoa + mizzen (or staysail + mizzen)
- The sail area is split into smaller, more manageable pieces
- It is easier to reduce sail without having to go forward in bad weather
On Maja the standing rigging was renewed in 2025, and the Furlex furling system on the forestay was also replaced the same year.
Sail Inventory on Maja
Typical working sails on a Nauticat 38 (and on our boat):
| Sail | Type / Notes | Approx. condition / year |
|---|---|---|
| Genoa | Furling, on Furlex | ~2020 |
| Mainsail | Slab reefing | Original / older |
| Mizzen | With one reef | ~2022–2023 |
| Staysail / Cutter | On inner forestay | Planned / in progress |
| Heavy-weather jib | Can be hanked on | Available |
We often sail with the genoa + mizzen combination, especially when single-handed. The mainsail is powerful, but it also requires more work, and on a pilothouse boat many owners (including us) prefer to keep sail handling simple and safe.
In the full walkthrough video you can see the current sail setup clearly:
Sail Handling from the Aft Deck
One of the big practical advantages of the Nauticat 38 is that almost all sail handling can be done from the aft deck / cockpit area. You do not need to go to the mast in normal conditions.
All the important lines (halyards, reefing lines, outhaul, etc.) are led aft. We have self-tailing winches and the necessary clutches/stoppers on the aft deck.
This is especially valuable when sailing short-handed or single-handed.
In this video you can see exactly how the single-line reefing system works and how the lines are arranged so that reefing can be done from a safe position.
Real Sailing with the Ketch Rig
The ketch rig on a heavy boat like the Nauticat 38 is not about maximum speed. It is about balance, comfort and the ability to keep sailing in a wide range of conditions.
In 15–20 knots of wind we typically sail at 4–6 knots (sometimes up to 7) with a sensible sail combination. In lighter winds the engine often helps, which is exactly what a motorsailer is designed for.
Two videos show this very clearly:
In this video I sail single-handed from Norway to Sweden with full genoa, full mizzen and two reefs in the main. You can see how the boat behaves and how the sail handling works in real conditions.
This short video shows performance in lighter winds (around 10–12 knots), both under sail alone and with engine assistance.
Reefing in Practice
Reefing is one of the most important skills on any cruising boat. On the Nauticat 38 we have made it as simple and safe as possible by leading everything aft.
Typical reefing sequence for the mainsail:
- Ease the halyard
- Pull in the reefing line(s)
- Re-tension the halyard
- Adjust the outhaul if needed
All of this can be done from the aft deck without leaving the cockpit area.
The mizzen has one reef and is simpler to handle.
Planned Improvements – Cutter Stay & Self-Tacking Staysail
One of the upgrades high on our list is a proper cutter stay with a self-tacking staysail (or at least a staysail on a track).
This would give us:
- A better heavy-weather sail plan
- Easier single-handed sailing in stronger winds
- More flexibility when the genoa becomes too much
We have already tested sailing with two foresails at the same time (furling genoa + hanked-on sail on the inner stay). You can see a short test here:
Why the Ketch Rig Suits the Nauticat 38
For a boat of this displacement and purpose, the ketch rig is a very logical choice:
- Smaller individual sails
- Better balance options
- Easier to reduce sail in stages
- The mizzen is useful both for propulsion and for heaving-to or balancing the boat at anchor
It is not the fastest rig, and it does not point as high as a modern sloop. But for comfortable, long-distance cruising and liveaboard life it is excellent.
You can see more about how the hull and rig work together in the sailing performance video:
Summary – Our Practical Approach
On Maja we prioritise:
- Safety
- Ease of handling (especially short-handed)
- Comfort
We often sail without the mainsail when single-handed, simply because genoa + mizzen is already a powerful and well-balanced combination, and it keeps us off the coachroof in rough conditions.
The ketch rig, the lines led aft, and the furling genoa make this possible.