My draft

[Eli55]

Hello i purchased a 1986 hunter 34. Its in the water I bought it through an auction. Is there anyway of known the draft without a haulout, or going in the water its a 1986 34 . It was # 956 of that year built and completed in November of 1985

 

[dLj]

According to sailboat data, your boat should have just under 6' of draft.

dj

 

[Eli55]

According to sailboat data, your boat should have just under 6' of draft.

dj

I appreciate it. Yeah I know there had one under 6 feet and also on 4 feet and a quarter

 

[shemandr]

The 4 1/4 is probably a shoal draft version- could even be a wing keel. Although SBD.com doesn't show a shoal draft version of the 34 Many models of sailboat are/were available with a choice of keels. Sailers in skinny water appreciate being able to use more shallow anchorages and having access to more marinas. So the question remains which you have. If in doubt use it as if it's 6 feet until you know differently.
Do you remember where the 4 1/4 number came from?

 

[Eli55]

The 4 1/4 is probably a shoal draft version- could even be a wing keel. Although SBD.com doesn't show a shoal draft version of the 34 Many models of sailboat are/were available with a choice of keels. Sailers in skinny water appreciate being able to use more shallow anchorages and having access to more marinas. So the question remains which you have. If in doubt use it as if it's 6 feet until you know differently.
Do you remember where the 4 1/4 number came from?

Thank you gor the response. I had read online that it was an optionally order. It will need a haulout so I guess I'll know then amd treat it as a deeper draft until then as you said before ill know for certain.

 

[BigEasy]

I had a 1988 33.5; it was somewhat similar to the earlier 34 With respect to the hull. Mine had the shoal draft, cast iron, wing keel (4.25–4.5’ draft).

 

[BigEasy]

Hello i purchased a 1986 hunter 34. Its in the water I bought it through an auction.

Interesting! How did you locate the boat & what was the auction process?

 

[rgranger]

Is there anyway of known the draft without a haulout, or going in the water its a 1986 34 .

Are you in the Chesapeake? If so, I assume you've either hired, or are planning to hire, a diver to keep the bottom clean. If that's the case, just ask the diver to identify which keel you have, then buy them a beer (or lunch) for the favor. That will be a lot cheaper than paying for a haul-out and you might make a friend who will keep an extra eye on the condition of your bottom.

 

[dLj]

If you would like to hire a diver, I know one that does very good work and reasonable prices. Just send me a PM and I'll share info.

dj

 

[Stu Jackson]

You could get or borrow a GoPro camera.

 

[Fast Ed]

I used to own a 1986 Hunter 34. There are 2 keels. The fin keel draws 5'7" and the shoal draft keel draws 4"4". The shoal draft is a Scheel keel.

 

[shemandr]

The Scheel Keel is interesting. The Tartan 33 has one and it serves that boat quite well.