Some help needed with shoal draft choices

littlelizzy · #1 (**permalink**) 07-13-2011

Started looking at several boats online (Pearson, Catalina, Sabre, Tartan, Cape Dory...) in the 30' range to be used in shallow waters of the Barnegat Bay. Need to sleep 5-6,2 adults and children, for some overnighters. I guess I am looking for a boat with less than 4' draft thats not a slug. I really dont want to go too old (no older than mid 80's) as I want to sail with family and not work more than I have to on maintenance. Questions I have are if wing keels are ok or can I find what I am looking for with a CB? Not sure about getting a wing keel out of the muck! Can anyone recommend a model they have experience with that can meet my needs? Are any of these more fun to own and sail than others? And lastly where may I find issues with resale when the time comes? Thanks in advance for any advice!

dmurray · #2 (**permalink**) 07-13-2011

There's a nice little Bristol for sale here at Tracy's Landing, MD. Looks good from the outside but no idea of condition otherwise. I live aboard within 300 yards of it and would be happy to look closer if you have an interest.

Doug

OtterGreen · #3 (**permalink**) 07-14-2011

my boat is 23 foot and water ballast with a centerboard. although it is not as big as my friends, his is 28, he is very restricted on where he can travel even with the shoal draft on his oday. i can head over to applegate cove or cattus island and put it right up on the beach if i want. remember, if you travel only a few feet outside the channel in our area you could be in 3 feet of water. north of the bridge where i sail is a bit more shallow that the south side. even with 4 ft of draft you will mainly be restricted inside the channels

treilley · #4 (**permalink**) 07-14-2011

You should do fine on resale with any of those if you pay an appropriate amount and maintain the boat properly. The cape dory would not be considered a speed demon. Any of the others have both faster and slower models. Do you have a budget as the price for a Sabre is quite a bit more than a Catalina of similar size and vintage.

Will you be sailing in short water or just to get to your mooring? I assume your sailing area is a little deeper as you are considering a CB.

The mid 80s Sabre 36CB is nice boat that can be had around $50k.