shoal draft keel, performance

[Mystic51]

I have reposted this a second time under the heading of 28.5, sorry if you have already read the other post under general interest.Anyone out there with a 28.5 shoal draft. I just bought a 28.5 and was led to believe it was the deep draft. We hauled it out last week and to my disappointment I found a shoal draft. I mainly cruse with a little racing. I plan to upgrade sails and more right away. I was told by a Hunter dealer who sold these boats when new that on the 28.5 the shoal draft performs very well and not as much difference as on the smaller and larger Hunters (ie 25.,31). I hope so because I just bought the boat and want to be happy with my purchase. the dealer said that the deep draft will point a litle higher but not that much on this particular boat. I did sail the boat old sails and all on a 20+ day. the boat healed to 20 degrees with full sails up and then stuck like a rock and tracked well in the gusty conditions. The pointing seemed very good. What are the experiences of other 28.5 owners. I want so much to feel good about my purchase but am feeling deflated right now.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Wonderful

I've sailed 5,000 miles on a 29.5 with a shoal draft and find it provides great peace of mind for not running aground. It drifts a little over the rhumbline but who cares. You'll be delighted.

 

[s sauer]

Shoal Draft vs Deep Draft

Sorry to take the opposite tack on your question, but there is significant pointing diference between the shoal and deep draft 28.5, particularly if you are a racer.That said, you can get the most out of the boat and minimize the differences by a couple easy options:Fair in the hull to keel joint with Marinetex or west system epoxy with microballoon filler; put on the smoothest hard finish racing botttom paint and then wet sand the bottom with 320 or better 'wet or dry' paper,including the keel and rudder ; use a folding or feathering prop.Obviously, buy new sails and have them measured and cut for the boat. If you are serious about racing, install a Headfoil system instead of roller furling. Your mast may have to be set up with little or no rake to reduce weather helm induced by the longer shoal draft keel. An adjustable back stay would help flaten out the main when weather helm is a problem, as well as minimize headstay sag for higher pointing. Eliminate ALL unnecessary weight from the boat when racing.You will get a break on your PHRF rating with a shoal draft. Off the wind there isn't much difference so you might work more heavily on down wind tactics as well. Sailing to windward, don't try to pinch and sail upwind with the deep draft boats; fall off a couple degrees and keep your speed up.Even the shoal draft J 105's have the same problems relative to their deep draft cousins.