Nauticat 38
Built 1975–? by Siltala Yachts (Finland)
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About the Nauticat 38
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1975–?
- Builder
- Siltala Yachts (Finland)
- Designer
- Kaj Gustafsson
- Length
- 37.5 ft
- Waterline
- 30.33 ft
- Beam
- 11.17 ft
- Draft
- 5.92 ft
- Displacement
- 24,200 lb
- Ballast
- 5,250 lb
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- ketch
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- 159 gal
- Water
- 106 gal
- Holding
- 21 gal
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- hydraulic · Capilano
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 159 gal
“600 l 131 gal. UK” — brochure (spec dated 10/2010), nauticatassociation.comTwo tanks, one each side of the engine room. Our earlier 131 was the builder's imperial figure taken as US gallons; 600 L = 159 US gal.
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Water 106 gal
“400 l 88 gal. UK” — brochure (spec dated 10/2010), nauticatassociation.comA polyethylene tank under the saloon floor. Our earlier 88 was in imperial gallons; 400 L = 106 US gal.
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Holding 21 gal
“Holding tank App. 80 l” — brochure (spec dated 10/2010), nauticatassociation.comStandard holding tank for the forward head only.
-
Water heater unknown
“Water pressure Pressurised water in toilets and galley (2010 standard specification; no water heater listed)” — builder (2010), nauticatassociation.comThe 2010 Nauticat standard specification lists pressure water but no water heater, and the 1986 Nauticat 38 manual couldn't be checked. The same-era Nauticat 33 manual's heater choices (Junkers gas heater or optional Raritan 25 L engine calorifier) aren't model-specific, so we don't apply them to the 38.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
“Standard specification (10/2010) equipment list - no thruster” — builder (2010), nauticatassociation.comNot in the 2010 standard specification, which notes that options exist but doesn't list them; no option list or evidence of later additions was found.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
“Standard specification (10/2010) - no stern thruster” — builder (2010), nauticatassociation.comAbsent from the standard specification only; option list not seen.
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Steering hydraulic · Capilano
“A Capillano hydraulic steering system enables effortless control, and services both steering stations. ... Emergency ste” — builder (2010), nauticatassociation.comTwo-station Capilano hydraulic steering, according to the 2010 Siltala standard specification (spelled Capillano there). Earlier years weren't checked; the model dates from 1975.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on engines — left blank rather than guessed.
Pilothouse staysail-ketch motorsailer with fin keel and skeg rudder. Built from 1975; boats are listed for sale from at least 1979 to 2001, so the run was long and engines changed over time.
Engines fitted
-
Ford Lehman 2715E (6-cyl) — diesel, single
standard
Most listed 1976-1982 hulls on Scanboat carry Ford/Ford Lehman diesels; a 1976 hull names the 6-cylinder Ford Lehman 2715E. Rating not stated.Sources: scanboat.com
-
Ford Lehman 2912E — diesel, single
factory option
A 1981 hull on Scanboat lists a Ford 2912E; whether this was a factory alternative or a later change is not stated.Sources: scanboat.com
-
Yanmar 4JH4-HTE — 110 hp, diesel, single
common repower
sailboatdata lists a 110 hp Yanmar 4JH4-HTE, but this is a 2000s engine and cannot be original on 1975-80s boats; it most likely reflects a repowered example. A 1994 hull on Scanboat also shows a Yanmar (model not given).Sources: sailboatdata.com · scanboat.com
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
No generator in the 2010 standard specification.
Manuals and brochures online
- Spec sheet Nauticat 38 standard specification (English, 10/2010) (2010) — nauticatassociation.com
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
No well-sourced problem reports found yet.
Engines & parts
Ford Lehman 120 (6D380 / 2715E) parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Ford Lehman 2715E (6-cyl)”
Marinized by Lehman from the Ford of England 'Dorset' 2715E six-cylinder (380 cu in) industrial/truck diesel; Ford built the Dorset base engines 1964–1984. Base-engine internals interchange with the Ford 2715E, and marine-specific parts (raw water pumps, heat exchangers, injection elbows, gaskets, lift pumps, air filters) are widely stocked. American Diesel Corp (founded by former Lehman people) still sells parts, publishes spare-parts lists and gives technical advice. Rebuilt and used 120s are also sold by salvage yards.
Parts sources: American Diesel Corp, Go2marine (Ford Lehman parts collection), Fred Warner Marine & Outdoors
Common problems (2)
-
Chronic oil leaks engine
Most 120s weep oil somewhere; owners often trace it to the rear of the engine near the heat exchanger (head/head gasket area) or to the drive seals of the gear-driven injection pump. Moderate oil use is treated as normal on these engines.trawlerforum.com · marineengine.com
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Fuel leaks at injection pump, lift pump and return lines fuel
Slow diesel drips usually come from loose bleed screws or banjo washers, perished rubber injector return hoses, a failing lift-pump diaphragm, or worn internal seals in the Simms or CAV injection pump, which needs a pump shop to overhaul.yescenters.com
Maker’s service schedule (16)
| Engine oil & filter change | 200 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 1. Change Engine Oil ... Every 200 hours running ..... 17. Change engine and transmiss” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours running ..... 18. Change all engine and fuel oil filters.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Change oil in fuel injection pump | 50 hrs | “Every 50 hours running ...... 13. Check cleanliness of intake air filter. 14. Check (exchanger) zinc pencil. 15. Change” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Transmission fluid change | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Change oil every 200 hours of operation or at least once each season under normal conditions” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Valve clearance check / adjust | 400 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 3. Adjust valve clearances. ... Every 400 hours running ..... 22. Adjust valve clearan” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Injector test / service | 400 hrs | “Every 400 hours running ..... 21. Remove and service injectors.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Engine pencil zincs | 50 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 4. Check (exchanger) zinc pencil. ... Every 50 hours running ...... 14. Check (exchang” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Drive belts inspect / replace | 200 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 5. Adjust belt tension. ... Every 200 hours running ..... 16. Adjust belt tension.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer | 50 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 8. Check cleanliness of intake air filter. ... Every 50 hours running ...... 13. Check” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Clean fuel lift pump | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours running ..... 19. Clean fuel lift pump.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Clean injection pump cover filter | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours running ..... 20. Clean injection pump cover filter.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Remove raw water pump and check drive coupling | 400 hrs | “Every 400 hours running ..... 23. Remove raw water pump and check drive coupling. Place dab of grease on coupling halves” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Adjust idling speed (if required) | 400 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 10. Adjust idling speed (if required). ... Every 400 hours running ..... 24. Adjust id” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Check engine/propeller shaft alignment | 6 mo | “After first 15 hours running .... 9. Check engine/propeller shaft alignment. (twice annually, minimum).” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Replace Borg Warner transmission oil cooler | 1,200 hrs | “Suggested replacement is at 1200 hours.” — manufacturer, img1.wsimg.com |
| Inspect drive damper | 2,500 hrs | “Inspect your drive damper if you have more than 2500 hours on the engine.” — manufacturer, img1.wsimg.com |
Service part numbers (3)
| Raw-water impeller | Jabsco 1210-0001 | “6D380 5850-0001 040 3/4" NPT Flange SK33 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com · “Breakdown of 2C48 Pump ... 9 1 1210-0001 IMPELLER” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com |
| Raw-water pump kit original 2C45 pump (Jabsco 5850-0001) |
Jabsco SK33 | “6D380 5850-0001 040 3/4" NPT Flange SK33 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
| Raw-water pump kit Lehman 2C48 replacement pump (Jabsco 10950-2401 type) |
Jabsco SK239 | “Service Kit SK239 - Comprising Key 7/8/9/17” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Yanmar 4JH series (4JH, 4JH2/3/4, -E, -TE, -HTE) parts: good
Factory common repower engine — you entered “Yanmar 4JH4-HTE”
Widely used and fully supported by Yanmar dealers and distributors; the mixing elbow is treated as a consumable part.
Parts sources: Mack Boring & Parts (Yanmar distributor), Yanmar USA genuine parts
Common problems (1)
-
Mixing elbow failure exhaust
The exhaust mixing elbow on 4JH engines pits and fails, sometimes within a few hundred hours; owners treat roughly 1000 hours as a practical life and inspect the elbow-to-manifold joint for salt weeping.cruisersforum.com · jeanneau.proboards.com · facebook.com
Maker’s service schedule (18)
| Engine oil & filter change 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 150 hrs | “4.3.3 Inspection Every 150 hours. Replace the engine oil and the clutch lube oil. After the second oil change, the engin” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Replace engine oil filter 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 300 hrs | “4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. ... (4) Replacing the Engine Oil and Lube Oil Filter (See 4.3.1(1))” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Transmission fluid change 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 150 hrs | “4.3.3 Inspection Every 150 hours. Replace the engine oil and the clutch lube oil.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Fuel filters & water separator 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 300 hrs | “4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. (1) Replacing the Fuel Filter” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Drain fuel filter (water/dirt) 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 50 hrs or 1 mo | “4.3.2 Inspection Every 50 Hours (or Monthly) (1) Draining the Fuel Filter” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Raw-water pump impeller 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 1,000 hrs | “Note: The impeller must be replaced periodically (every 1000 hrs.).” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Air filter / intake silencer 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 300 hrs | “4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. ... (5) Cleaning the Intake Silencer” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Exhaust mixing elbow inspection 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 300 hrs | “Every 300 hrs ... Clean the exhaust/water mixing elbow” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Drive belts inspect / replace 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 300 hrs | “4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. ... (2) Adjusting the Tension of the Cooling Water Pump Driving Belt.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Valve clearance check / adjust 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 600 hrs | “4.3.5 Inspection Every 600 Hrs. ... (3) Inspection and Adjustment of Intake/Exhaust Valve Clearance.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Injector test / service 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E | 600 hrs | “4.3.5 Inspection Every 600 Hrs. ... (4) Inspecting and Adjusting the Fuel Injection Spray Condition.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org |
| Fuel filters & water separator 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE | 300 hrs | “Replace the element every 300 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, mason44.com |
| Replace engine oil filter 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE | 300 hrs | “Oil filter replacement period ... Every 300 hours of engine operation” — manufacturer, mason44.com |
| Transmission fluid change 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE | 150 hrs | “Change the oil after the first 50 hours of operation, and every 150 hours of operation thereafter.” — manufacturer, mason44.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE (turbo) | 300 hrs | “Cleaning and Every 300 hours inspection of air filter” — manufacturer, mason44.com |
| Turbocharger inspection 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE (turbo) | 150 hrs | “Clean the blower: Everv 150 hours” — manufacturer, mason44.com |
| Turbocharger disassembly, cleaning and inspection 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE (turbo) | 6,000 hrs or 1 yr | “3 months or 6 months or 12 months or 1500 hours 3000 hours 6000 hours ... Disassembly, cleaning and inspection of entire” — manufacturer, mason44.com |
| Thermostat: inspect every 500 h; replace every year or 2000 h 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE | 2,000 hrs or 1 yr | “Replace the thermostat every year or 2000 hours of operation (whichever comes first).” — manufacturer, mason44.com |
Service part numbers (11)
| Oil filter | Yanmar 129150-35170 Replaces 129150-35153 |
“129150-35170 Oil Filter” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “Yanmar Oil Filter 129150-35170 Marine Diesel 4JH 4JHE 4JH3” — dealer, dieselitems.com |
| Fuel filter non-turbo E models (4JHE, 4JH2E, 4JH3E, 4JH4E) |
Yanmar 129470-55810 Replaces 129470-55703 |
“129470-55810 Fuel Filter” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “It fits Yanmar 3HM35F, 3JH2E, 4JH3, 4JH4-HTE, 4JH4E, 4JHE, 4TNE84T engines. Cross Reference: 129470-55703” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com |
| Fuel filter 4JH4-TE / 4JH4-HTE (2007 on) |
Yanmar 129574-55711 | “Fuel Filter Element 1 129574-55711” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “4JH4-TE/HTE Basic Service Kit ... Fuel filter 129574-55711” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller JH3 and JH4 generation (4JH3, 4JH4-E, -AE, -TE, -HTE) |
Yanmar 129670-42531 | “Impeller 1 129670-42531 / Impeller Gasket 1 119773-42570” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Impeller (129670-42531) & O-ring box kit, including face plate screws and lubricant.” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller earlier 4JH and 4JH2 generation |
Yanmar 129470-42532 | “Impeller 1 129470-42532 / Impeller Gasket 1 24341-000600” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Replaces: Impeller Numbers 129470-42530 , 129470-42531 , 129470-42532 ... Fits ... 4JHE , 4JH-TE , 4JH2E” — dealer, staycoolpumps.com |
| Drive belt 4JH2E, 4JH3E, 4JH4-AE; 4JH4-TE before July 2006 |
Yanmar 25132-004600 | “Alternator Belt 1 25132-004600” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “25132-004600 Belt” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Drive belt 4JH4-E |
Yanmar 25152-004300 | “Alternator Belt 1 25152-004300” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “25152-004300 Belt” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Drive belt 4JH4-TE from July 2006 to serial E15601 (also 4JH4-HTE per Sea Sierra) |
Yanmar 129671-42280 | “Alternator Belt V-Belt 1 129671-42280 July 2006 > / < E15601” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Alternator Belt for Yanmar 4JH4-TE and 4JH4-HTE (Replaces 129671-42280E, 129671-42280)” — dealer, seasierra.com |
| Drive belt 4JH4-TE / 4JH4-HTE from serial E15602 (120 A alternator) |
Yanmar 129671-77680 | “Alternator Belt Flat Belt 1 129671-77680 E15602 >” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “129671-77680 Serp Belt starting s/n # E15602” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Air filter all except 4JH4-E |
Yanmar 129470-12330 | “Air Filter Element 1 129470-12330” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “It fits Yanmar 4JH110, 4JH2-TE, 4JH4-HTE, 4JH4-TE, 4JH80, 4JHE engines.” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com |
| Thermostat | Yanmar 129470-49801 | “Thermostat 1 129470-49801 / Thermostat Gasket 1 129795-49551 / 129150-49811” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “compatible with ... 4JH2-E, 4JH2-HTE, 4JH2-TE, ... 4JH3-E, 4JH3-HTE, 4JH3-TE, 4JH4AE, 4JH4-E, 4JH4-TE, ... 4JH-E” — dealer, shop.marinedieselinc.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Steering
Capilano — Inboard hydraulic steering (e.g., 250V/275 helms) parts: limited
Capilano is now a Dometic brand and current Capilano inboard helms are still sold (West Marine). Older 1970s–80s units can be resealed: seal kits come from SeaStar (e.g., HC5182 inboard cylinder kit) or bearing houses, hydraulic shops rebuild cylinders, and SeaStar cylinders such as HC5373-3 replace several old Capilano and Hynautic cylinders.
Parts sources: West Marine (Dometic Capilano helms), Seatech Marine Products (Capilano cylinders)
Common problems (2)
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Hard or sluggish steering steering
Boats that have sat often have stiff steering at both stations; after bleeding and greasing rudder bearings, the cylinder is often found binding and needs a rebuild or replacement.trawlerforum.com · samsmarine.com
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Leaking old helm pumps steering
1970s-era Capilano helms leak with age and are either resealed with kits or replaced with current Dometic helms.trawlerforum.com · westmarine.com
Model sources (5)
sailboatdata.com · sailboatdata.com · instagram.com · scanboat.com · nauticatassociation.com
Own a Nauticat 38? Add her to your boats, then share a photo — names, numbers and faces are blurred before it appears.
Other Nauticat models
- Nauticat 33 1967–?
- Nauticat 44 1974–?
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.