drying out on falling tide

[Roger Glasson]

I am about to purchase a 340 Hunter with a shoal draft/wing keel.Has anyone with a 34' had experience drying out on a falling tide. We sail in a bay with many areas which become exposed on the low tide. My concern is in regard to the stress placed on the 340 hull and also how much further the boat would lean over when on the bottom. Any shared experiences and/or comment would be appreciated.

 

[Jim Ewing]

Bad idea

I think that drying out a boat with a wing keel is not the best idea. First the boat will want to stand up on the keel as the tide drops. Then the tide will reach a point where the force on the wings will no longer be sufficient to hold up the boat which will heel suddenly. Last the angle of heel would be greater with the wing than with a fin and when the tide started coming back in you might take water on board (to say nothing of the battery acid, fuel, waste, oil etc. that will be spilling out while you're on the ground).If this is something you anticipate happening a lot you may want to consider a bilge keel design.Jim"Prospect"