Two weekend ago, on returning to my dock area we ran aground about 300 ft. from the entrance. Turns out it was almost exactly low tide. Having a lot of time, I went into the water and noted that the water came to my chin, about 4 ft. Other boats, all power boats, were coming and going without any trouble and some told me they drew 3 ft. 8 in. and another that he drew 4 ft. Finally, late at night, when the tide had risen enough to just float us, we were towed into the slip area still with some difficulty. Yesterday I the boat was floating at the slip (I know because I could pull it forward, back and sideways) and I measured the depth of water; it was 3 ft. 9 in. I also contacted Hunter but since the boat was manufactured in 1984, they did not have any record of the manufactured keel depth. If I have a shoal keel (3 ft. 3 in.) why would I run aground in 4 ft. of water? There is a lot of sea grass in the area and that may have caused the problem. The reason the power boats had no problem was that they do not have a keel and have a lot more power. Other than going below with some goggles, does what I say make sense? Do I have a shoal keel and got it caught in the sea grass?
Keel Depth
- Thread starter Tony23670
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3' and 4'
Well right off the bat I'd say you didn't. You probably ran aground in 3' 3" of water but where standing in 4' of water. Could be an old sand bar or the like. On your way back in did you run aground at regular intervals? I've seen shallow water have sand "waves" in it. These are normaly only an inch or two tall but at regular intervals you get one that can be a foot or more in height.
Well right off the bat I'd say you didn't. You probably ran aground in 3' 3" of water but where standing in 4' of water. Could be an old sand bar or the like. On your way back in did you run aground at regular intervals? I've seen shallow water have sand "waves" in it. These are normaly only an inch or two tall but at regular intervals you get one that can be a foot or more in height.
Sand Waves
Yes, as a matter of fact, when we were being towed we hit a few of these on the way in. Very disheartening since you think you are clear and, bam, you're aground again.
Yes, as a matter of fact, when we were being towed we hit a few of these on the way in. Very disheartening since you think you are clear and, bam, you're aground again.
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