How does the shallow draft keel handle the ocean?

[Joe Mullee]

I'm working on getting out into the ocean for the first time in my H34 this summer. Nothing big. Just a relatively short coastal cruise around the Delmarva Peninsula. I'm going thru a checklist I've compiled after reading two books on the subject. I have the 4'3" shallow draft. Anything I need to know about how the boat will handle the ocean? Any constructive comments are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Andy Howard]

Shallow draft in the deep blue sea

Well, your chances of running aground are greatly diminished.Sorry Joe, but since you asked for constructive comments, I couldn't resist.

 

[Jim]

shoal draft/deep draft

Joe, your shoal draft will "handle" the ocean fine. As with most boats your boat will take much more then you are willing to take. The biggest difference in the shoal draft and the deep draft will be the degree that you can pinch the wind,advantage deep draft,but not buy much and not a issue for most cruisers. Of course the shoal draft will get you into places the deep draft won't. I would not even give it a second thougth and enjoy the trip!

 

[Andy Howard]

Insurance Question for Joe

I've followed your posts for awhile, we bought our 34's at about the same time and you usually ask the questions I need answers to. Anyway, I plan to do the same thing this summer, short offshore trips. I've got a "personal inland marine policy" with coastal and intercoastal in the named perils section, from Erie Insurance. I've looked over my policy and can find no definition of what "coastal" means. Do you think I'm OK?

 

[Charles]

You should be fine....

Joe:I have to agree with Jim, you should be fine. I sail off shore quite a bit and have had no problems. The boat will take more then you can withstand. There have been times where I closed the hatches just to keep the water out as it came over the front of the boat. Do not get me wrong I would not go off into a storm, but 6 foot swells she takes quite well.CharlesHunter 34

 

[Joe Mullee]

Andy

I don't think I've ever mentioned this on this forum but I'm a State Farm agent. Under our policy coastal refers to up to 75 miles off the actual coast of the US. We can also endorse our policies to cover the Bahamas at no extra charge. I've got a friend who is an Erie agent. I put a call into him and when he calls back I'll try to get you an answer on what specifically Erie covers and how far offshore. If you'd like to email me I'm at JOE.MULLEE.BT9F@STATEFARM.COM.