What's the shallowest keel/draft on a 30 foot boat?

[Link30]

We're boat shopping (our first), and don't think we want to go bigger than a 30', but want to be able to navigate up the Connecticut River (and other rivers) as far as possible and therefore want a 2' (or 3' max.) draft. Any recommendations on makes? If no 30', then 28' (other than a Macgregor or catamaran)? THANKS Y'ALL

[sailingfool]

Find a centerboard boat like a Seidelmann 30, they draw about 18" with the board up...

[tweitz]

We have a Beneteau 323 with lifting keel that draws about 2'11" wth keel up, 7 feet with it down. Beneteau has several such models in that size range, though they are usually less common that the fin keel versions. There are numbers of other lifting keel or keel/centerboard boats. Very pricey is the Shoalsailer 32, by Shannon. Southerly also makes a full line of lifting keel boats. If the depth is critical, you could also look at a catboat.

[deniseO30]

Wow.. correct me if I'm wrong.. but doesn't the CT river feed into LI sound? Certainly a good place to be sailing a 30ft boat. Other things to consider when wanting to take a sailboat up a river are things like mast height, mast stepping, tabernacle for the mast, low bridges, cables, low head dams, fish weirs, height or tide (where the tide no longer rises and falls) to consider when you get that far up a river that shallow. Just a suggestion. get a sailing dinghy and tow her to a safe location dock or anchor the mother ship then take the dink up river.

Looks like a long long motor up to Hartford and 39ft clearance, and East Hartford. 28ft Above there is really really shallow!

[blt2ski]

Jeaanneau has some CB models up to 32' or so also. IIRC the new 379, about 37' has a CB model with 2'ish feet with the board up, twin rudders so when you dry out, the boat rests on the Short keel and twin rudders. Mostly a European want option, as many keep there boats in shallow bays, and the boats get dried out twice a day at low tides, ie sit on the bottom!

Marty

[PBzeer]

Hake Yachts 32RK