I've notice a few posts and e-mail posts lately that indicate some folks that are in boat shopping mode are concerned with keel depth as they sail in shallow water. I can't argue that this is something to consider when buying a boat, but I've seen some posts indicating some concern over the draft of boats like the H-260, that draws only 3 1/2 feet! It boggles my mind that some folks want to be able to sail anywhere and not have to be concerned about the depth of the water. With a draft of 4'6", I have had to learn to "know" the waters I sail on here in the bay (Barnegat). My new (to me) H-33 draws only 4' and I'm delighted, but I would have bought her anyway if she had the 5'3" keel. I believe it (having to know where the bottom is) has made me a better, safer, sailor. I guess for some who sail in known deep water this is a none issue. Hope I'm not coming across like a complainer, just can't believe some folks would walk away from an otherwise great boat deal just because the draft is a wopping 3'6". Don
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Ed Schenck
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steven f.
necessity
Actually, some people (me) live in areas where the draft of their boat determines if they can even leave the dock. Here on the SW coast of fla. the waters are real thin, draft is a serious concern. Out channels shoal and change each season, depending on the years hurricanes and cold fronts. A keel with 5'3" vs. one with 4'0" makes a huge difference in some locations. Have you ever sailed in the Bahamas?? Try it with a 6' keel than try it again with a 4' keel. You'll find it much more accessable with the shallow keel. That also translates to better protection on a hook during our daily severe thunter storms down here. As we all know, there are pro's and con's for EVERYTHING on a boat, the keel is no exception.
Actually, some people (me) live in areas where the draft of their boat determines if they can even leave the dock. Here on the SW coast of fla. the waters are real thin, draft is a serious concern. Out channels shoal and change each season, depending on the years hurricanes and cold fronts. A keel with 5'3" vs. one with 4'0" makes a huge difference in some locations. Have you ever sailed in the Bahamas?? Try it with a 6' keel than try it again with a 4' keel. You'll find it much more accessable with the shallow keel. That also translates to better protection on a hook during our daily severe thunter storms down here. As we all know, there are pro's and con's for EVERYTHING on a boat, the keel is no exception.
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Frank
Shallow vs deep water
Prior to moving to the East coast I had spent most of my boating career in the Pacific Northwest where depth really wasn't of concern in most places. I must admit to waking up on the hard a couple of times for not taking a full tidal change into account when anchoring but no harm done. Now that I do most of my sailing in the Chesapeake depth has become a factor in where I go since there is a lot of water but not much of it depth wise. It took a while to get used to charts in feet rather than fathoms. My first Bay boat was a Potter with a dagger board keel. With the keel up it floated in 6-12 inches of water depending on the load. When I went shopping for a bigger boat---the Potter is like living under your dining room table for a weekend when it is raining---draft was a consideration in my shopping and actually ruled out a couple of boats. Stargazer had great appeal other than a 4 foot draft when we first climbed on board in the boat yard and I think we were sold on the spot inspite of the layer of dust. What I have since found out that even with a four foot draft it is still possible to bother clams and oysters on the Bay bottom having dug a few with Stargazer's keel. I don't think that another foot would make that much difference, just more aware of depth. Bottom line (no pun intended) I think it depends on the boat and where you want to spend your time in. Would I buy a deep draft 37C? You bet! It is a great boat.
Prior to moving to the East coast I had spent most of my boating career in the Pacific Northwest where depth really wasn't of concern in most places. I must admit to waking up on the hard a couple of times for not taking a full tidal change into account when anchoring but no harm done. Now that I do most of my sailing in the Chesapeake depth has become a factor in where I go since there is a lot of water but not much of it depth wise. It took a while to get used to charts in feet rather than fathoms. My first Bay boat was a Potter with a dagger board keel. With the keel up it floated in 6-12 inches of water depending on the load. When I went shopping for a bigger boat---the Potter is like living under your dining room table for a weekend when it is raining---draft was a consideration in my shopping and actually ruled out a couple of boats. Stargazer had great appeal other than a 4 foot draft when we first climbed on board in the boat yard and I think we were sold on the spot inspite of the layer of dust. What I have since found out that even with a four foot draft it is still possible to bother clams and oysters on the Bay bottom having dug a few with Stargazer's keel. I don't think that another foot would make that much difference, just more aware of depth. Bottom line (no pun intended) I think it depends on the boat and where you want to spend your time in. Would I buy a deep draft 37C? You bet! It is a great boat.
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Ken DeLacy
4ft draft - 4ft rudder
When I was shopping a couple years ago the runner up was a 39' C&C with 6ft below, this would require a much better sailor than me to sail where I am, Sarasota, FL. But being a liveaboard it was the interior space that sold me on the h37c. While the 4ft draft allows me to go through Newpass at high tide it does little to give the rudder clearance when plowing. It was my very second time out when I landed on the reminants of an old bridge, bending my rudder post while trying to unlodge myself. I've often wonder about placeing a length of metal from the rear of the keel to the bottom of the rudder post for some protection. (Some rudder fabrication required of coarse.) Ken
When I was shopping a couple years ago the runner up was a 39' C&C with 6ft below, this would require a much better sailor than me to sail where I am, Sarasota, FL. But being a liveaboard it was the interior space that sold me on the h37c. While the 4ft draft allows me to go through Newpass at high tide it does little to give the rudder clearance when plowing. It was my very second time out when I landed on the reminants of an old bridge, bending my rudder post while trying to unlodge myself. I've often wonder about placeing a length of metal from the rear of the keel to the bottom of the rudder post for some protection. (Some rudder fabrication required of coarse.) Ken
How about 6 ft?
On Antigone, a Raider 33, we had the long 6ft keel. Even in the Delaware this was too much. One afternoon my parents came down with about six other people for one of those nightmarish 'look-at-my-boat' joyrides that we all just hate to have to give coworkers, et.al. Don 'the Duck' and I sat across the dock on his motorboat sucking down beers– definitely passing on this one. As the throng boarded Antigone Duck noticed the boat was NOT settling in the water. 'Hey, John, you think maybe you've got enough passengers now?' My dad, true to form, never even responded– just threw the gear into reverse and slammed the throttle home. Black riverbed silt poured forth along the bow and under the dock, rocking the motorboat where we sat. Without the least compunction he dragged the keel through what must have been six inches of mud (you could tell by where the waterline was!), entirely out of the slip, and then ploughed his way out of Dredge Harbor to the channel with the same deep black wake soiling the boot stripe. Duck and I laughed so hard we had bellyaches. Leave it to an ex-Army pilot to solve the mission no matter what! If you're gonna go sailing, GO SAILING!! JC
On Antigone, a Raider 33, we had the long 6ft keel. Even in the Delaware this was too much. One afternoon my parents came down with about six other people for one of those nightmarish 'look-at-my-boat' joyrides that we all just hate to have to give coworkers, et.al. Don 'the Duck' and I sat across the dock on his motorboat sucking down beers– definitely passing on this one. As the throng boarded Antigone Duck noticed the boat was NOT settling in the water. 'Hey, John, you think maybe you've got enough passengers now?' My dad, true to form, never even responded– just threw the gear into reverse and slammed the throttle home. Black riverbed silt poured forth along the bow and under the dock, rocking the motorboat where we sat. Without the least compunction he dragged the keel through what must have been six inches of mud (you could tell by where the waterline was!), entirely out of the slip, and then ploughed his way out of Dredge Harbor to the channel with the same deep black wake soiling the boot stripe. Duck and I laughed so hard we had bellyaches. Leave it to an ex-Army pilot to solve the mission no matter what! If you're gonna go sailing, GO SAILING!! JC
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John Allison
Total concurence
I totally agree. When, sailing both the waters of Lake St. Clair and the western end of Lake Erie, the only answer is to know your waters. For comfort and response, I will pick a standard draft keel over a shoal draft keel any day. Then, I will take the time to talk to locals, study charts, etc. As most of you know, the Great Lakes have been experiencing low water problems for the past two years. This is compounded by the fact for several years prior to this, the waters have been extremely high. Interestingly enough, the highest percentage of boats suffering damage which can be attributed to insufficient depth is powerboaters. The biggest problem to me is getting under the lift at my marina. Last two years we have had to heel the boat over to get across the bar just outside of the lift. I do not limit myself by draft, but then I take the time to learn the waters (or as much as I can) prior to sailing them.
I totally agree. When, sailing both the waters of Lake St. Clair and the western end of Lake Erie, the only answer is to know your waters. For comfort and response, I will pick a standard draft keel over a shoal draft keel any day. Then, I will take the time to talk to locals, study charts, etc. As most of you know, the Great Lakes have been experiencing low water problems for the past two years. This is compounded by the fact for several years prior to this, the waters have been extremely high. Interestingly enough, the highest percentage of boats suffering damage which can be attributed to insufficient depth is powerboaters. The biggest problem to me is getting under the lift at my marina. Last two years we have had to heel the boat over to get across the bar just outside of the lift. I do not limit myself by draft, but then I take the time to learn the waters (or as much as I can) prior to sailing them.
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David Foster
5'6" Ruled out a Catalina 30
When we were down to a choice between a h27, and a Catalina 30, I visited the Mentor Lagoons marina 5 minutes from our house. The manager said that 5'6" draft simply wouldn't go reliably over the shallowest points in the channel. So we ended up (very happy with) our h27, the Lady Lillie. It basically means we don't have to worry about entering most Lake Erie marinas. I do agree with the comments about using the charts and building local knowledge. We are still looking for a sounding lead to support gunk-holing in shallow waters - anybody know where to get one? West Marine doesn't have one at the Mentor outlet.
When we were down to a choice between a h27, and a Catalina 30, I visited the Mentor Lagoons marina 5 minutes from our house. The manager said that 5'6" draft simply wouldn't go reliably over the shallowest points in the channel. So we ended up (very happy with) our h27, the Lady Lillie. It basically means we don't have to worry about entering most Lake Erie marinas. I do agree with the comments about using the charts and building local knowledge. We are still looking for a sounding lead to support gunk-holing in shallow waters - anybody know where to get one? West Marine doesn't have one at the Mentor outlet.
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