Let me echo Larry's comments that the 31 is plenty substantial for off-shore sailing, regardless of the keel choice. The Bahamas would be a piece of cake with either draft.
As for shoal vs. standard draft, opinions can get pretty subjective. It also depends which model boat you're looking at. For instance, a standard draft 31 has less draft then a shoal draft 40.
The drafts begin to overlap more as you compare standard and shoal versions of the 37 with the 34/31 (for all practical purposes, the 31 and 34 carry the same draft.) Also, one point I've heard mentioned repeatedly, is that the draft of the 37 is somewhat understated.
Here on the Chesapeake, we have not been hindered in any way by our standard draft 31 (4'10"). But we need minimum 5' of water. The Chesapeake is a relatively shallow cruising area, although Pamlico and Albemarle may be a bit tighter.
We get a much deeper "keel span" with the standard fin keel vs. the Scheel keel. Another thing to consider is that the Scheel keel on the 31, for instance, uses an additional 700 lbs of ballast, which is a fair bit of additional weight. And the fuel tank on the shoal draft 31 is 18 gallons vs. 23 (originally 27) on the standard draft.
As usual, John makes some good points. The one point that I forgot about is fuel capacity. For longer cruising, I have always carried a couple of jerry jugs of diesel, which puts me up at the capacity of the std keel. I consider that a small trade-off for the peace of mind of less draft. But, either way, if you were going to cross oceans in a 31, you would need jerry jugs.
In the end, you have to be realistic about what kind of sailing you are really going to do. I think I made the right choice because when I bought Asylum, I had no idea I would end up living on Pamlico Sound. I have seen people sell their boats after they moved here because the draft they had on Long Island Sound, just wouldn't work here.
Larry
ASYLUM
As usual, John makes some good points. The one point that I forgot about is fuel capacity. For longer cruising, I have always carried a couple of jerry jugs of diesel, which puts me up at the capacity of the std keel. I consider that a small trade-off for the peace of mind of less draft. But, either way, if you were going to cross oceans in a 31, you would need jerry jugs.
In the end, you have to be realistic about what kind of sailing you are really going to do. I think I made the right choice because when I bought Asylum, I had no idea I would end up living on Pamlico Sound. I have seen people sell their boats after they moved here because the draft they had on Long Island Sound, just wouldn't work here.
Larry
ASYLUM
That's a good point, Larry. As I understand it, the original owner of our boat was from Long Island -- which I suppose accounts for his decision to go with the standard draft.
When we purchased our boat, we had a choice between two used models, one shoal, one standard draft. It was a real quandary at the time -- but now having sailed the boat for six seasons on the Bay, I have no regrets.
As for tankage, the reality is that for how we have used the boat, we would not have been limited in any way by the smaller fuel tank (although we could sure use a larger holding tank! ). And for island hopping in the Bahamas, I feel the smaller tank supplemented by jugs would be more than adequate. But I think for serious voyaging the larger tank would be preferable.
I certainly agree about the holding tank. I spent a few years doing stag sails with 3 guys on my boat. It is amazing how fast three guys eating and drinking a lot can fill up that holding tank. We learned to plan some trips across the limit so that we could legally pump over or find marinas with working pumpouts, not always a sure thing. However, for two it has been adequate since we tend to like marinas for overnight anymore. I'm not sure that any holding tank is really big enough, frankly.
Larry
ASYLUM
I was told via email from Pacific Seacraft that they have the molds for the currently out of production Orion 27. If you are open to "ordering" a sailboat, ask them if they would make you one of those if you think the 37 footer is still a little big for you. Draft of my 27' Orion is 4 feet. There is a guy in Dana Point California who sailed his for 2 years up and down the coast of South America, so even that size is ocean capable. Same concerns about fuel and holding capacity are a concern, but you can possibly expand both to some extent. Might be interesting to see what they say about bringing back that model.
That's a good point, Larry. As I understand it, the original owner of our boat was from Long Island -- which I suppose accounts for his decision to go with the standard draft.
Reading about sailing on Pamlico sound is really getting me anxious as this is where we intend to retire in the next 2-5 years. We were on the fence about the shoal vs standard keel when we recently purchased our Crealock 31. With the outboard chainplates and toerail mounted genoa tracks we did not want to give up any more pointing ability. Although the 4' draft was very tempting, after much deliberation decided that the 4'11 draft would work, knowing that when the wind blows SW for a few days that we would be cleaning the bottom of the keel getting out of Pierce Creek and into the Neuse.
It will be a whole new world, I get nervous when sailing around Boston and the depth meter gets under 10ft. I can hardly wait to be sailing in 5ft of water with a 4'11" draft
__________________
Regards,
Steve
PSC 31 #125
Ryoko
Scituate,Ma
One of the two happiest days in a sailors life
I agree with John. I went from lake sailing with shallow water to Long Island Sound homeport to Pamlico Sound. Never worrying about depth on Long Island Sound was nice, but you adapt quickly and learn where the shallow water is located. Oh, you also get to trade crab pots for lobster pots. Crab pots are no better. After getting one many years ago, I put a cutter on my shaft. I never have figured out the State seasonal regulations on where the crabbers can put their pots. For a good portion of the year the pots are only in water 6 feet or less. The rest of the time it just requires vigilance. You'd think our skeg arrangement would protect you, but not when you are under power!
The bottom condition where you're sailing is also a factor. If its soft muck in the shallow areas (e.g., near the boat's slip), the PSC's have engines with enough HP relative to the size/weight of the boat to power through an occasional minor encounter, assuming you have a little forward speed. I have the 4'11" draft and I've had no problems at our Marina with only 5' of water at the end of the season. The muck gets cleared away a bit from spots that tend to be well travelled.
). And for island hopping in the Bahamas, I feel the smaller tank supplemented by jugs would be more than adequate. But I think for serious voyaging the larger tank would be preferable.
I can hardly wait to be sailing in 5ft of water with a 4'11" draft
