How much keel is OK for the Bay?

[chef2sail]

If you can go for a keel. centerboard. I have a C&C 35 with a 4'2"- 7' draft, You get great pointing ability and stability when beating and when the wind puipes up over 15 you dont have to reef like most of the schoal or wing keels do, If that not an option 51/2 would be my best advice

[millerlitescott]

I have a Hunter 25.5 that draws 4'-6" and have run aground a few times in the last 12 years. I have to agree that a 4'-5' draft is the most you would want for sailing the Chesapeake. I do like the performance of a deep fin.

Scott

[SVAuspicious]

In my experience the depth of keel defines how close to shore you are when you run aground. <grin>

I haven't felt very limited by 5'8" although there have been a few somewhat stressful gunkhole adventures. I did spend an hour kedging off a couple of weeks ago when I misinterpreted some private marks in a skinny, shallow channel. My girl friend and I considered it an adventure. As others have said, the bottom of the Chesapeake is pretty benign for running aground.

[obelisk]

we draw 7.5' and i have only occasionally found it limiting--there are some places that are inaccessible but if you put a little thought into your destination (and there are plenty on the Bay to accomodate 7.5'!) you should have no problem. we have cruised the Bay extensively and, yes, we have found the botom a time or two but in my opinion it has not detracted from cruising the bay--besides, the added bonus of being able to point so high is pretty nice at times.

[chucklesR]

I draw 18 inches with the boards up, 5.5 with them down.
I'm not (too) ashamed to say that while dodging anchored boats in the channel at the entrance to Still Pond Creek I managed to polish my propeller in some fine Chesapeake Bay mud.

When considering the asethics of catamarans, remember than the view from onboard is significantly different than the view from another boat (i.e. you don't see the ugly, you just feel the ride). IMHO, not all catamarans are condocat's, some don't look so bad at all.


How else are you going to back up to a tree 10 feet away and tie up?

[Trekka]

I sailed for 25 yrs with a 3ft draft and now have at least 5.5ft. There is a difference. What I notice are that now I have to pay attention to things like the tidal state at various "narrows". That I have to follow channels further out, where I used to be able to cut off early onto my desired course. That I must go way out to the light well off a long point before turning where before I could cut right across. There's a marina I would love to be in now but cannot do so with this boat.

Certainly you can sail the bay with even a 7ft draft. But the deeper your draft the more time you will take up following channels. If you've never sailed with a shoal draft in the bay you do not know what you are missing. In my case, I fell in love with this boat and have adapted. But I definitley notice the changes I must make in my habits and practices.

[ger3926]

If you have more than 10 f = 3 m - you will never at CRABS in St, Michel
Peter