Can a 6 foot eight inch draft sloop visit the Bahamas?

costaricanwannabe · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008

My wife and I have a Cal 39 deep-draft (6' 8'') sailboat. I am sure we would be limited in the places we could go, and we would have to watch the tides carefully, but I would like to know if the trip could be made at all. I would like to hear from others with similar boats who have made the trip. What islands did you visit? Did you anchor or stay in marinas? Can you suggest a good cruising guide for the area?

W

camaraderie · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008

Costa...Yes you can visit...and yes tidal help (3 ft.) will be needed in some areas. Some will simply not be accessible. BUT you can still visit a lot of spots and have a good time. Check out the dodge guide to Abacos for an excellent overview AND chartlets of all the important passages in that section of the Bahamas. The Exumas will be more difficult for you but still do-able and the Explorer chart kit for that region will provide not only charts but also advice about each anchorage. We cruised for 5 seasons there with both a 5.5 and 6' draft boat and could get in anywhere but you will be locked out of a couple of places. No big deal. Good luck!

Valiente · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008

No real comment here, except that I am reading Jimmy Cornell's latest book and he comments consistantly on how his three-foot draft (with the centerboard up) allows him not only to anchor in places most can't, but allows him to "dry out" the boat on tidal beaches, and to go through "cuts" between islands that are otherwise unworkable for deeper draft boats.

I think his point (other than arguing on behalf of his own boat-picking choices) is that in thin water, it's not just about the anchoring and mooring, it's about the fact that you have to have eight feet of depth or better along the entirety of your track, because simple wave action, full tankage, etc. will increase your draft in ways you might not always realize. Six foot waves in 12 feet of water could loosen your fillings in a hurry if you find a two foot high rock or chunk of debris somewhere.

I'm not saying this to deter you, but sometimes running aground is a matter of contrary waves and winds, and not depth or draft, at least not directly.

djmarchand · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008

I was in the Abacos a few years ago (on a 4' 8" draft boat) and hooked up with a ketch with about 6' 6" draft like yours. They anchored outside of the main harbors (Man O War, Great Guano, Hopetown). They did make it inside Treasure Cay at high tide which was very tight and they could only anchor near the fuel tanks where it was deeper. The same was true for Marsh Harbor.

So you can do it, with some restrictions.

speciald · #5 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008

Had a 61/2 foot wing-keeled C&C in the Bahamas once. Had to wait for the tide at a number of places but otherwise had no major problems.

camaraderie · #6 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008

djmarchand...you CAN get into Great Guana and Hopetown at high tide with that draft but you DO need to wait for high tide and it will be much like Treasure Cay. Man O'War would be a problem as it is shoal inside as well. Marsh Harbor is no problem whatsoever for anchoring...but marinas will not support that draft...you would need to wait for tide to get a fill up at the pumps. I concur with speciald...less draft if better....but you can get in most places with tide help.

ebs001 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008

Cam, there are alot of areas in the Marsh Habour anchorage were it is less than 6 feet at low tide. I'm sitting in 5.9 feet of water right now and it's 2 hours until low tide. Treasure and Hope Town had lots of water in the harbour but the entrances could only be transited with a 6+ draft at high tide. It can be done but it won't be fun

camaraderie · #8 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008

ebs...true...you have to anchor further out in Marsh...but still not bad. I even made it into little harbor with 6'. But you are right....6'10" draft will require careful timeing and careful piloting there...but that's no reason to miss them!
Enjoy da island mon!

ebs001 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008

This is our 1st time to the Bahamas. It is a wonderful experience and I recommend it to everyone. I am just thankful that we have a 4' 6" draft.

blt2ski · #10 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008

When I read and hear soundings of different areas like this, I am glad I am in Puget sound. Granted tyically in 300-600' of water, most of the anchorages you are in 10-30' at low tide, and add upwards of 12-14' for higher swing days. Tide issues can be more of a factor here than elsewhere I would imagine. along with currents in the 5-6 minimum to upwards of 15 knots in some spots! 2-6 is not uncommon!

marty