IS there a big performanc difference between the deep keel and the shallow keel on the 28.5? Thanks Cliff
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They just point better.
Cliff: Generally the same boat with a deep keep points better. Of course what difference does this make if your boat is sitting on the bottom. I would judge this based on your sailing grounds. I personally think that the only *major* draw back is that your rudder becomes more prone to being damaged during a grounding. Do you have the same problems with low water that they are have in the other great lakes marinas in your area?
Cliff: Generally the same boat with a deep keep points better. Of course what difference does this make if your boat is sitting on the bottom. I would judge this based on your sailing grounds. I personally think that the only *major* draw back is that your rudder becomes more prone to being damaged during a grounding. Do you have the same problems with low water that they are have in the other great lakes marinas in your area?
Steve
I know that they will point better, but how much, and is it worth seeking out looking for a deeper keel? We are planning on moving to Flordia with the boat. Lake Erie is low but we sail a 25.5 now and it has'nt been a problem for us. It has made a majior impact on some of the feeder rivers where ther are Marinas. Some have closed for the season and some are makeing the best of it. We are looking for a boat that we can live on for a short time while we get established in Flordia and then look for a house. We will sell our 25.5 next season and start looking for a 28.5. That we will sail on Erie for another season then we head for the sun. Thanks for your input. Cliff
I know that they will point better, but how much, and is it worth seeking out looking for a deeper keel? We are planning on moving to Flordia with the boat. Lake Erie is low but we sail a 25.5 now and it has'nt been a problem for us. It has made a majior impact on some of the feeder rivers where ther are Marinas. Some have closed for the season and some are makeing the best of it. We are looking for a boat that we can live on for a short time while we get established in Flordia and then look for a house. We will sell our 25.5 next season and start looking for a 28.5. That we will sail on Erie for another season then we head for the sun. Thanks for your input. Cliff
IMHO Cliff,
In the 28.5 range an extra foot of keel can give you 4 to maybe as much as 7 degrees of pointing ability. Greg H23 Faster-
In the 28.5 range an extra foot of keel can give you 4 to maybe as much as 7 degrees of pointing ability. Greg H23 Faster-
point vs grounding
Cliff: The previous responses regarding pointing are all accurate. However, sailing versus the fear of frequent groundings is generally worth the few degrees of point. There is a reason most 28.5's around here are shoal draft... we are short on deep water down here. In most cases, the shoal draft is the best choice!
Cliff: The previous responses regarding pointing are all accurate. However, sailing versus the fear of frequent groundings is generally worth the few degrees of point. There is a reason most 28.5's around here are shoal draft... we are short on deep water down here. In most cases, the shoal draft is the best choice!
Florida is a big place ...
Where exactly are you planning to go in Florida. If you plan on sailing on the west coast or in Miami/Bahamas/Keys, a deeper draft will definitely limit places you can go.
Where exactly are you planning to go in Florida. If you plan on sailing on the west coast or in Miami/Bahamas/Keys, a deeper draft will definitely limit places you can go.
Skinny Water
Cliff, There's nothing like a 4' draft in 5' of water. There's nothing like 5' draft in 4' of water either!! Pointing is good but NOT being aground is better.
There's a lot of thin water in FL and I would opt for the best boat and the shallowest draft you are comfortable with. I once had to anchor outside No Name Key (no room in the small anchorage that night) in a 39' with only a few feet of keel clearance. The seas picked up during the night and we were rockin' and rollin' and occasionally bumping the bottom! On another boat, 44' with 5'6" (KCB with board up) we managed to putter around Key West and the Dry Tortugas for a week without stirring the sand too much! All that aside, the deep (5'2") draft of the 28.5 isn't that bad for FL. Given the age of the 28.5's, if that's the boat you choose, I'd go for the one with either keel that is in the best condition with the best equipment and then get a good set of charts! Dick
Cliff, There's nothing like a 4' draft in 5' of water. There's nothing like 5' draft in 4' of water either!! Pointing is good but NOT being aground is better.
There's a lot of thin water in FL and I would opt for the best boat and the shallowest draft you are comfortable with. I once had to anchor outside No Name Key (no room in the small anchorage that night) in a 39' with only a few feet of keel clearance. The seas picked up during the night and we were rockin' and rollin' and occasionally bumping the bottom! On another boat, 44' with 5'6" (KCB with board up) we managed to putter around Key West and the Dry Tortugas for a week without stirring the sand too much! All that aside, the deep (5'2") draft of the 28.5 isn't that bad for FL. Given the age of the 28.5's, if that's the boat you choose, I'd go for the one with either keel that is in the best condition with the best equipment and then get a good set of charts! Dick- Status