Help with drafts??

[fdonovan50]

We've been looking at Catalina 36's 1984,85,and 86 models. Many owners and brokers list these boats at 5'10'' drafts. However my review of the brochures for these years shows that Catalina offered several draft choices. I'm thinking of putting in an offer on a 1985 version that the owner says is a 6 foot draft. The broker says it's a 5'10" draft yet my 1985 catalogue says that a 5'10 draft wasn't even offered!
I think the boat is a 5'6'' draft. Does anyone know what the real story is ?
Thanks Fran D.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Daft Drafts

Given the big four to six inch difference, what the heck difference does it make? Really. If you are sailing shoal water you don't want the fin keel anyway. If you are in deep water, that six inch difference simply does not matter. You really need to put it in perspective.

I would trust the brochures, BUT because every single Catalina ever made always came in heavier than the specs, most of us "round up" the draft numbers anyway. And I've had our C34 for 11 years and while "loaded" for cruising and tools and stuff, she still sits 3 inches above the standard waterline.

I'd be interested in your impression of the draft issue for your proposed sailing grounds.

If you'd like more C36 impressions, go here: http://www.c36ia.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=1

 

[fdonovan50]

draft discussion

Given the big four to six inch difference, what the heck difference does it make? Really. If you are sailing shoal water you don't want the fin keel anyway. If you are in deep water, that six inch difference simply does not matter. You really need to put it in perspective.

I would trust the brochures, BUT because every single Catalina ever made always came in heavier than the specs, most of us "round up" the draft numbers anyway. And I've had our C34 for 11 years and while "loaded" for cruising and tools and stuff, she still sits 3 inches above the standard waterline.

I'd be interested in your impression of the draft issue for your proposed sailing grounds.

If you'd like more C36 impressions, go here: http://www.c36ia.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=1

Thanks for answering back Stu. Our home sits at the mouth of a river with a deep channel running up the middle. The max draft we can get away with for mooring our boat is approx. 5" 7" and for about 3 really big tides a year, we could be in the mud. Otherwise we have local sailing grounds that are more user friendly with a lower draft like the wing keel but we are a stones throw from outer Boston Harbor, then the Cape and Islands etc, , where a deeper keel would be nice. So many choices...so little time.....The 36's that we're looking at are attractively priced but are in the water, and the owners are giving a draft that is inconsistent with the brochure data. Before I drive 250 miles or so, or pay for a haul to look at the keel, I was just looking for some other owner opinions etc. Thanks again.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Now I understand. So, go to the C36 owners site, and ask there, BUT tell them what you said in your second message, not just the limited info in your first post. The WHY really helps...

But in re-reading your posts, it seems like it still doesn't matter. You WILL be in the mud, and only you know how deep, for the minus few tides you mention. Whether that's 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches, etc. is pretty immaterial. If you're concerned about grounding at all, then find a wing keel. If it doesn't matter to you and you're willing to deal with the inevitable, then buy the fin keel, knowing a few times each year you'll be in some (hopefully) mud (not rock or hard sand). What IS the bottom condition? Edited: sorry, you already said mud