Slip size and boat size.

rikbass · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

I have a boat slip which is 8.5 feet wide and 26 feet long. Draft is 3 feet at MHT.

What size (length) boat will fit in this slip?

rmeador · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

What kind of answer are you looking for? I'm pretty sure any boat that is less than 8.5 feet wide, less than (or maybe even slightly greater than) 26 feet long, and has less than a 3 foot draft would fit...

Does MHT mean "mean high tide"? I'm not familiar with that abbreviation. Hopefully it means the shallowest the water ever gets, since that would likely be your limiting factor. With such a shallow draft, you may be looking at a barge as the only thing that will fit

rikbass · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

Yes, Mean High Tide. Low tide drops about down 1 to 1.5 feet.

Answer I am looking for is I can't seem to find research online as to beam width and lenght. Seems there should be a relationship. So a 7.5 wide beam boat typically runs what? 20 feet to 24 feet or what? Once I have a handle on this then I can narrow my search for a boat.

remetau · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

With that shallow of water, I can't see any sailboat ever fitting in there. Maybe a shallow draft power boat, but even those draw at least 1 foot.

SecondWindNC · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

Water depth is going to be your limiting factor, and you need to base it on the low tide depth, not the high tide depth; otherwise you'll be stuck looking at your boat sitting on the bottom, unable to get it out of the slip except at high tide.

As far as sailboats for that slip/depth, you're going to be looking at pretty small daysailors, probably centerboard dinghies, maybe a Hobie Cat. Going to be hard to find something with a cabin for water that shallow.

SlowButSteady · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

The answer also depends on how much (if any) your marina will allow your boat to stick out beyond the end of the slip. Where I keep my boat (King Harbor, Redondo Beach) the limit is three feet, everything included. So a 25' slip can (in theory) accommodate a 28' boat. But, as was said above, draft is going to be your main problem. Could be worse, the tidal range in California is generally about six feet, eight feet during extreme Spring Tides.

CapTim · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

Maybe a smallish cat? a pair of sunfish might be fun...

hellosailor · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

Rik, if you have your own private slip, whatever you can fit in it is what you can put in it. If it sticks out two feet over your yard, that's your business.

If "your" slip is part of a dock-o-minimum or other association, you'll have to consult the deed and association rules. Overhangs may not be allowed.

Offhand I'd expect a "not more than 26-foot-er" with a centerboard or a lifting keel, so it could squeeze into three feet of water. You'd need more than four feet at dead low tide to stick even a typical 24' sailboat in it, so a centerboard or other lifting keel is going to be crticial for you. Unless you're looking for a powerboat.

casioqv · #9 (**permalink**) 09-13-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by rikbass

Low tide drops about down 1 to 1.5 feet.

Are you saying your slip is only 1 foot deep at the lowest tides?

That's not a boat slip- that's on the beach! If the bottom is soft mud and not rocks/coral you might be able to find a beachable boat, which won't be damaged sitting on the bottom. Even most small swing keel sailboats draw more than 1' with the keel retracted.

hellosailor · #10 (**permalink**) 09-13-2010

A foot deep?

Maybe a Boston Whaler. How did you come into possession of something that shallow? Win it in a poker game?