Help Finding Shallow draft Cruiser

[tidalprisoner]

I am new to the forum and looking for a boat to keep in my tidal water behind my house. Water depth is around 3.2-4ft at low tide.

I am looking for a sailboat with wheel steering and possibly an inboard engine. One of the boats I really like is the shoal draft (3ft) Catalina 27, but they are almost impossible to find.

I would appreciate any suggestions regarding specific makes and models of boats that might fit this criteria. I am located in Portsmouth, VA if anyone knows of anything in the immediate area.

Thanks

[mazzy]

Seaward makes variable draft boats that would fit the bill. My older seaward 25' has a fixed keel and draws 25". And yes, it can sail to weather!

Mike

[sailingdog]

My in-laws used to live down there... right on the water, and I'd point out that most monohulls are going to have a problem in 3.2-4' of water. In water that shallow, I'd recommend getting something with less than 2' of draft... Not too many monohulls are going to fit that description.

The reason I say you want to have that much clearance is that one of the worst things you can do to a boat is to have it bouncing off the bottom. With any kind of wind and fetch, a boat with a 3' draft is likely to bottom out regularly.

Most of the boats you're looking at are going to be tiller steered. Most smaller, shallower draft boats are tiller steered. Part of the reason for this is simple—the steering linkages take up space, and you need a deeper hull for a wheel steered boat in many cases.

One boat that might fit the draft criteria is the Westerly Nomad 24. It has a draft of 2.25' or so. However, this is a triple keel boat that can dry out (ie can stand on its own keels) and it will tend to be fairly slow because of the extra drag from the multiple keels.

Most small catamarans, like the Heavenly Twins 26, would also fit the bill. As would a lot of the sport trimarans, like the Corsair 28/31, Telstar 26/28, Dragonfly 820/28/920...

However, the sport trimarans will tend to be a bit out of your price range is my guess, based on what Catalina 27's go for.

[bljones]

A freedom 28 fits the bill.

North 44 Marine Sales Inc (Hamilton, ON)

[Architeuthis]

Island Packets, pricey but nice. Some draw less than 4 ft, ours about 4'6", the centerboard draws 3'6". We've spent time in waters that shallow. The boat grounds very nice through if you do it alot we've noticed it wears off the antifouling but then we would wiggle it back and forth to avoid the lean so that likely did it.

I think catamarans should be on the list unless you really need something that can handle rough weather.

[soulfinger]

I would definitely look at swing-keel boats; a fixed keel is going to cause you too many problems.

[COOL]

What is the sailing environment once you are away from the dock?
Almost nothing reduces a boats overall sailing performance more
than some of the shoal draft configurations.
Personally I like the Corsair F27 or 28 idea,
or a smaller keelboat. A Cal 20 can sail in 4' of water
all day long, and will not mind bumping the bottom on
occasion.

[tidalprisoner]

The water is deep once away from the dock. I have access to 10-15ft channels about 100 yards out. I just want to be able to get the boat out as much as possible. I only have to go about 20 yards out to be in about 5 feet of water at low tide.

I am starting to consider getting a slightly larger draft boat and try and "carve" out my own channel. I really like the Catalina 27 for our price range and most of them have a 4' draft.

[inshallamiami]

Morgan 34 with center board. 39" board up. 7'9" board down. perfect.