C&C 29 - shoal draft Vs. regular keel

[MichaelZZ]

Hi there,

I am looking to buy a C&C 29. The lake I will start sailing in has some issues when it comes to depth. Experienced sailors are recommending I stay below 5' draft and preferably not more than 4'.

So I have looked at a regular C&C 29 with draft at 5'3" and shoal draft at 4'.

What is the extent of the issues I might experience going for shoal draft on this model? Will I lose a lot in terms of upwind sailing? How significant will ths be if/when I start to sail outside my local lake and head for coastal sailing in e.g. Lake Ontario and Canadian maritimes and hitting heavier seas?

Thanks much for any insights you can share with me...

[Faster]

The shoal draft boat will probably sail just fine.. however in a head-to-head match with her deeper keeled sister (assuming equal levels of skill in handling) the shoal boat will not likely get to weather as efficiently as the other.

Whether that will affect your day-to-day sailing of the SD version is hard to say. Unless you've got a lot of miles under your belt you're unlikely to notice any 'lack' of performance - again, unless racing.

Given the situation of the lake you'll be in right away the SD boat makes more sense. Also, if/when your long term plans come to fruition it's possible that by then you'll be looking for another, possibly larger or more appropriate boat. You can then sell the boat on the lake to someone else in the same place you're in now....

[chef2sail]

I would echo what faster says. Our C&C 35 MKIII is a keel/ centerboard, which at 4"6" board up handles quite well. We have taken her in the Ocean to New England many times with no worries. You will give up some windward performance with the SD, but the C&C sail better to windward than many boats already. The 29 is a nice quick boat...well made...get a survey though

Not sure they made the 29 in a k/c edition. You get the best of both worlkds if you have that.,

Dave

[MichaelZZ]

Gentlemen - thank you so much for sharing this information with me. The SD vessel appears to be in pristine condition so would love for it to work out.

Thanks again!


Michael

[Sanduskysailor]

I've owned 2 C&C 29-2s. Which model are you looking at? Mark1 or 2?. The Mark I is a bit overpowered and shoal draft might make it worse. The Mark II is a little stiffer but still needs a headsail change from 150% at 130% at 15 knots apparent wind. If you don't race the SD model should be fine. If it were me I would use a 135% headsail on a furler as my primary sail configuration.

If you are looking at the MarkII. Be sure to have your surveyor check the area under the steering pedestal. There is a plywood core there which tends to delaminate because of water penetration from the pedestal bolts and rudder post. The fix is about $2500. An easy way for a quick check is to vigorously push on the pedestal. If the cockpit sole flexes you have a delam problem.

Another area to look out for is the keel sump. Any cracking at forward end of sump where it meets the hull is problematical. Look for horizontal hairline cracks in bottom paint emanating from form forward end of the keel. Also take floor boards out and inspect stingers in mast step area. If you or your surveyor has suspicions about this area walk away. The fix is over half the cost of the boat!

[MichaelZZ]

Originally Posted by Sanduskysailor

I've owned 2 C&C 29-2s. Which model are you looking at? Mark1 or 2?. The Mark I is a bit overpowered and shoal draft might make it worse. The Mark II is a little stiffer but still needs a headsail change from 150% at 130% at 15 knots apparent wind. If you don't race the SD model should be fine. If it were me I would use a 135% headsail on a furler as my primary sail configuration.

If you are looking at the MarkII. Be sure to have your surveyor check the area under the steering pedestal. There is a plywood core there which tends to delaminate because of water penetration from the pedestal bolts and rudder post. The fix is about $2500. An easy way for a quick check is to vigorously push on the pedestal. If the cockpit sole flexes you have a delam problem.

Another area to look out for is the keel sump. Any cracking at forward end of sump where it meets the hull is problematical. Look for horizontal hairline cracks in bottom paint emanating from form forward end of the keel. Also take floor boards out and inspect stingers in mast step area. If you or your surveyor has suspicions about this area walk away. The fix is over half the cost of the boat!

Wow, awesome info and great pics, thanks! Yes I'm looking at a Mark II.

Cheers,