I'm looking at two different 1983 Hunter 34's. One is shoal draft and the other is deep draft. Can some other 34 owners (these are both 1983's) give me their opinions of the significant diffrences. I'm not looking to race, just cruise. I will sometimes have crew, sometimes be single handed. I am located in the middle Chesapeake Bay area. I am a relatively new sailor at three years but have crewed for long periods of time on several other boats in this range. Shoal vs deep. Which is best and why?? Thanks.
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Ed Schenck
Check other forums.
Joe, there was a pretty good discussion about shoal vs. fin recently, check the Cherubini forum. Also check the archives. The consensus, I think, is that the shoal will not point quite as high. The shoal keel is not as deep but longer and generally heavier. The boat probably can't be raced but is just as safe. And on Lake Erie where I have my shoal H37C it keeps me out of trouble.
Joe, there was a pretty good discussion about shoal vs. fin recently, check the Cherubini forum. Also check the archives. The consensus, I think, is that the shoal will not point quite as high. The shoal keel is not as deep but longer and generally heavier. The boat probably can't be raced but is just as safe. And on Lake Erie where I have my shoal H37C it keeps me out of trouble.
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David Foster
Good for Gunk-holing, weak on the wind
I agree with Ed. I haven't sailed the Chesapeake, but understand from previous threads, and articles that shoal draft is a big plus there. You can go a lot more places in the shallows at low tide. Our shoal draft '77 h27 (also a Cherubini) only sails about 55 degrees (course made good per GPS) into the wind, but this is very seldom an issue when cruising. Probably use the iron genny a little more. David Lady Lillie
I agree with Ed. I haven't sailed the Chesapeake, but understand from previous threads, and articles that shoal draft is a big plus there. You can go a lot more places in the shallows at low tide. Our shoal draft '77 h27 (also a Cherubini) only sails about 55 degrees (course made good per GPS) into the wind, but this is very seldom an issue when cruising. Probably use the iron genny a little more. David Lady Lillie
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Andy Howard
Shoal vs Deep Draft
Check out the thread from 5/16 and answer this question yourself, for me it's more a matter of optimising cupholder locations than sail trim, and I like anchoring out in remote little coves. But don't think that either boat is a huge compromise either way, my H34 shoal draft can still handle herself pretty well in a tacking duel on a wednesday night. We don't lead the pack but we don't drag the rear either.
Check out the thread from 5/16 and answer this question yourself, for me it's more a matter of optimising cupholder locations than sail trim, and I like anchoring out in remote little coves. But don't think that either boat is a huge compromise either way, my H34 shoal draft can still handle herself pretty well in a tacking duel on a wednesday night. We don't lead the pack but we don't drag the rear either.
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Bruce
I vote for shoal-draft
I had the same questions when I was looking for my 34, but have never regretted the shoal draft. My sailing is mostly in the Chesapeake also and I cannot imagine having to put up with that extra foot and a half draft. I have a friend with the deep draft 34 and cannot tell much difference into the wind, and he cannot go many of the places I can. Bruce H34 "Catwalk"
I had the same questions when I was looking for my 34, but have never regretted the shoal draft. My sailing is mostly in the Chesapeake also and I cannot imagine having to put up with that extra foot and a half draft. I have a friend with the deep draft 34 and cannot tell much difference into the wind, and he cannot go many of the places I can. Bruce H34 "Catwalk"
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Clyde Lichtenwalner
Draft Issues
I sail the Chesapeake as well and opted for the deep draft H-34 back in 1982 when they were first introduced. The windward performance of this boat is remarkable considering the draft is only 5'-6". Many contemporary craft from C&C, Pearson, and others have deeper draft and do not go to weather as well. That does not mean the shoal draft H-34 is a slouch. It too is a remarkably fine sailboat considering its draft. Not may 34' keel boats, even with winged keels, draw only 4'-3". Instead of designing a deep draft racing boat and adding a stubby shoal keel as an afterthought, the H-34 hull was designed from outset as a shoal draft boat. The deep keel version was the after thought (according to a conversation I had with Courtland Steck, the designer of the H-34 along with others, at the Annapolis Boat show in 1982). Hence, all of the comments below are valid. The difference in overall sailing performance between the two is not so much that there is a great disadvantage to owning the shoal boat. It does better than most deeper draft boats of similar vintange. If Hunter still made this boat, upgraded with current construction techniques, it would still sell well. I know I like it better than any of the newer models of similar size. It looks better and sails better.
I sail the Chesapeake as well and opted for the deep draft H-34 back in 1982 when they were first introduced. The windward performance of this boat is remarkable considering the draft is only 5'-6". Many contemporary craft from C&C, Pearson, and others have deeper draft and do not go to weather as well. That does not mean the shoal draft H-34 is a slouch. It too is a remarkably fine sailboat considering its draft. Not may 34' keel boats, even with winged keels, draw only 4'-3". Instead of designing a deep draft racing boat and adding a stubby shoal keel as an afterthought, the H-34 hull was designed from outset as a shoal draft boat. The deep keel version was the after thought (according to a conversation I had with Courtland Steck, the designer of the H-34 along with others, at the Annapolis Boat show in 1982). Hence, all of the comments below are valid. The difference in overall sailing performance between the two is not so much that there is a great disadvantage to owning the shoal boat. It does better than most deeper draft boats of similar vintange. If Hunter still made this boat, upgraded with current construction techniques, it would still sell well. I know I like it better than any of the newer models of similar size. It looks better and sails better.
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Dennis
keels
I have a 99 340 with a shoal keel ... 2 points to make from myview ... 1. shoal saves a foot or so draft and since I sail in the Palico gives lots more access to places I couldn't get to with a fin. 2. I thnik shoal keels are worse when u do hang up. the extra volume hanging below has moredrag thru the mud. Many fin sailors can get a bit hungyet plow thru with more power ... the Pam. is mud bottom .. rock bottom would be different
I have a 99 340 with a shoal keel ... 2 points to make from myview ... 1. shoal saves a foot or so draft and since I sail in the Palico gives lots more access to places I couldn't get to with a fin. 2. I thnik shoal keels are worse when u do hang up. the extra volume hanging below has moredrag thru the mud. Many fin sailors can get a bit hungyet plow thru with more power ... the Pam. is mud bottom .. rock bottom would be different
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