Looking for a shallow draft boat for W Florida waters F

troyaux · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2002

The water where I live is quite thin (Charlotte Harbor FL and my canal) and I am looking to move from my 25'' swing keel to a 28-32 footer that can handle some shallow shoals. I am looking for a 80''s something boat because of price. can anyone name some ideas of centerboard designs I may find. I am not going off shore - just the Keys and Bahamas and upper Carribean so a coastal cruiser should be fine. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Troy

Manateee Gene · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2002

Try finding a Coronado 25,Center Board version. It has the same space as a normal 27-28 footer. Uses a 9.9hp outboard. with the board up. 3''4" DRAFT.

SailorMitch · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2002

Since I own one, I''m partial to Pearson''s. Most of the models they made from the mid-80''s until they went out of business in 1991 have winged keels that don''t draw very much. Some also offered C/B''s as an option. Check out the P-27, 31, 33 and 34 in particular. They all are quite sound for coastal cruising.

ibisrick · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2002

I have a 30 Morgan Out Island Which only draws 3.4 feet with all the comforts of home Its in great shape and is a 1977 remodeled and in excellent mechanical condition If you want to know more let me know it is for sale.

ptapaul · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2002

Mine is a Westerly which draws 4 feet with its bilge keel design.

c172guy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-13-2002

ibisrick; Tell me more about your morgan outisland. My wife and I are looking for a boat to cruise the east coast and the Bahmas.
Tom

rbh1515 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-13-2002

I owned a Morgan Out Island 33. The 30 is fairly similar and either the 33 or 30 would be a good choice in my opinion. Both are quite large in the cabin, and shoal draft. Rob

troyaux · #8 (**permalink**) 08-15-2002

Thanks for the replies. I don''t kmow much about Morgans and Islanders. I need to stay under 4 feet and have some sort of swing keel as there is so much shoaling here you''d be really stuck with a fixed keel

halyardz · #9 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002

Too bad about the fixation of swing keel. We bought our Tartan 33 4''8" draft for the same waters + Bahamas. The scheel keel is a nice compromise. After hearing centerboard woes and cat owner frustrations, we went with a fixed keel.

peewee30 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2002

Also check O''day30. The 1978-1984 versions
had the keel-centerboard option. Draft with board up is bout 3''6".