H34 shallow draft?

[chinny]

I'm in the market for a Hunter 34 and have found a few with the 4'3" shallow draft. Most of my sailing will be up in Maine and the New England coast. Is this something I shoud steer away from or will I not notice too much difference from this and one with a deeper keel? If anyone has experience with sailing both models and cares to share, I would greatly appreciate it.Thanks,Christian

 

[DJ Sailor]

Look for deep keel

I have had Patchez, my H34 deep keel since 1984 and have used it from Maine to Fl but Patchez mostly has lived in the Chesapeake Bay area. You get some added pointing ability with the deeper keel. The boat is tender as is and I believe a deeper keel gives more moment arm to righting the boat. I believe the boat was originally designed with a lead keel with the current shape but Hunter went with a Cast Iron to save costs (i.e. same size for both materials but a denser material would have provided a greater ballast weight). I know some people have added 600lbs bulbs to the sides of their keel. Patchez was in Boston and Casco Bay each for a summer. Deeper was no problem. I think the deeper keel would be worth it unless you have some need to be in about 1.3 ft shallower water.

 

[PilotAlso]

what's important to you

Deb and I plan to move the boat to Mississippi/Florida and cruise the islands. Lots of skinny water. I don't like being constantly worried about hanging up on the shoals. The shallower the draft, the better for me. The small diminishment in performance means nothing to me. I'm not a racer!We shopped specifically for a shallow draft. Others have their own wants and needs and shop for a deeper keel version. What's important to you?FWIW: Everyone keeps telling us how tender the boat is. She is tender but never feels out of control. Reef early, sit back, have a drink!

 

[Dan Johnson]

Chinny...

Up in Maine where the water's deeper, the fin keel H34 will do you well. Keep in mind that the shoal keel is actually slightly heavier in compensation. If you plan to eventually go where the water gets skinny, you'll find the shoal keel a blessing. There's about a foot difference in draft.We've had heavier winds on the Chesapeake this past year than we normally see in the heat of summer. I did a lot of sailing with just the main up, traveler down, open leach, flattened sail, no reef. In 15 to 20's on a broad reach Intrepid (shoal keel) was over only 5 to 10 degrees. Bring in the main or traveler any and it was on it's ear pretty quick in a strong puff. Down wind we mainly use the headsail as the main can't be set wide on any more than 120 off the wind.The key to your selection should be condition. These boats aren't miraculously getting better just with age. Care and feeding and PO's have a lot to do with it. Get your selection surveyed for peace of mind.