Need a Shoal Draft Floating Condo

[camaraderie]

If mama needs to be happy then a Hunter or Catalina of the most recent vintage you can afford is your best bet. A bit more upscale but also good room is found in the Island Packets and NonSuch (if you like cat rigs). If you need an older/cheaper boat the Oday CC 32 and 37 are worth a look.

[T34C]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Look for a small catamaran. A Gemini 105 is 34' long and far more space than you'll ever see on a comparable length monohull. A Catalac 8M might be another good choice.

While you're probably right, it would be much tougher to find a parking spot.

[chucklesR]

Gemini www.mypci.net

can't beat the condo feel. I just returned from a weeklong capt'n and crewed charter on a Voyage 50 - the master cabin in my Gemini is bigger than the cabin on the 50.
The rest is smaller, but it doesn't cost 750k either.

[Joesaila]

If you want an inexpensive 30' look at S-2 center cockpit, shoal drafts or Morgans. Ours draws 3 1/2 feet and sleeps 6 but is very roomy for 2.

[sailingdog]

Not particularly... since it is only 14' wide and will fit in most 40' slips without issue.

Originally Posted by T34C

While you're probably right, it would be much tougher to find a parking spot.

[T34C]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Not particularly... since it is only 14' wide and will fit in most 40' slips without issue.

Sorry, bad assumption on my part. However, in my harbor, my 36' slip is confined to a 10'6" beam.

[chucklesR]

My slip is 18' wide x 40. It's not usual, but not totally unusual either. I know of 4 other slips within a mile of my house that would fit my Gemini and are semi-available (I'd have to out bid the current user).
Besides, with 18" of draft you can fit in what most places would consider a 'mud' slip, unsuitable for use for most boats.

[TrueBlue]

Originally Posted by T34C

Sorry, bad assumption on my part. However, in my harbor, my 36' slip is confined to a 10'6" beam.

My marina siutation is similar - our 30' slip takes a 36' max LOA boat, with a max boat beam = 13'-0". Our boat beam is 10'-10" - room to spare. Our rent is based upon maximum length allowed, or 36 ft.

Each slip has it's own floating finger, but 2 boats share a slip with no piling between. Total double slip width is 27'-0", so with two 13'-0" beam slipmates, there'd be no room for fenders on each side.

Of course, on the next docks, slip sizes start at 40 ft - 46 ft max LOA, so slip widths are naturally wider. But with seasonal rents set at $135/ft, that's a considerable premium to pay for a 34 ft boat with a 14 ft. beam.

[sailingdog]

I didn't say it wouldn't cost you extra to park a Gemini... just that it wasn't an unreasonably large boat to accommodate. Any marina that can handle a 40' boat can generally handle a Gemini with little trouble. Also, as Dr. Phil pointed out... they can berth in shallower slips than many other boats, giving them a bit more flexibility than deeper draft boats.

[chucklesR]

Who's Dr. Phil

Since the OP's concern was related to shoal draft I do believe that is a germaine point.
I can squeeze my boat into that 20 ft space between the shore and the 'first' slip, essentially making use of dock space most marina's or private docks can't use for much besides row boats.