373 draft question

[Newport Bob]

I have a shallow draft 2004.
Looking at her on the hard it appears that the rudder is slightly deeper than the keel. Hard to confirm since she is on stands on dirt/weeds.
Anyone know actual measurements for keel and rudder?

 

[Gunni]

They were all 4.9' draft, and no, the rudder is not deeper than your keel. Some savvy yardman blocked your boat bow high - keeps the deck well drained. Go to sailboatdata.com and you will confirm.

 

[Pat]

Our O'Day 272 manual has several warnings that the cockpit when full can cause the rudder to draw more than the wing keel....it's just a cautionary statement made several times.....we have run aground 3 times though and it has always been the keel vs. the rudder...that was with 4 people in the cockpit doing a bit of exploring of coves, etc...never had trouble backing off however and always had a bit of warning from the depth sounder alarm. Pat

 

[Newport Bob]

Gunni,
Thanks for the reply, however, the 373, per the manual and other sources was available with three keels.
Shoal 4.45 ft, medium 4.76 ft, and deep 6.07 ft. Standard was the medium. Per the ad when I purchased two years ago and my "very rough" measurements I have the shoal keel.
Trying to sight along the flat bottom of the keel aft to the rudder and also looking from the side of the boat it appears that the rudder is a few inches deeper. Hope this is not true - would rather put the keel into bottom than the rudder if a close situation occurs. Just did the ICW and saw some REAL shallow water - 5' depth.
Of course, don't plan on getting that close, but would like to know.

 

[Gunni]

Yikes! I believe Beneteau did this on the 311, saw one in the yard and the rudder was at least as deep as the keel. It had a wing keel.