How big a deal is 4-6 inches?

[Eddieclemons]

When it comes to considering 50-54' Convertibles how much weight would you put into considering the difference in drafts of various models. 5', 5'4", or 5'6". Let say use is ICW and near shore costal cruising? I have had way to much alone time with no sleep since Christmas morning here in Nashville causing me to dream about boats.

 

[oscarvan]

It would not be a big factor in my selection. 6+ feet, yeah, now you're getting down there.... but a few inches more or less at the depth you're talking you're going to be navigating in the same water.

 

[madhatter1]

A lot depends on where you plan on running the boat. Down here in FL it makes a big difference. Even the ICW can get a little skinny in spots. Another factor is running in the Gulf we have to go way west of Egmont Key to make sure we are in deep enough water due to the ever changing shoal area. Bet we could run much closer but no way I'm taking the chance running on plane. Draft is what the boat draws at rest, not where the props and rudders are at planing angle.

But you probably already know that. I wouldn't want (for us) a longer or wider boat due to constraints of finding slips where we visit. But on the other coast of FL we fit into the "small" slips. You are in the planning buyer stage so fairly easy to figure out what your needs are rather than regret what you end up with.

And you have to admire all that have not taken your title out of context!

 

[Boatsb]

Its not the draft. Its how you run it.

 

[Pascal]

Indeed it depends on where you run the boat

On the ICW 5 or 5 1/2 isn’t going to make a big difference. In the Bahamas either or at least in 90% of places. Where it makes a difference is in the keys. Over 5’ and running inside gets tricky

 

[Boatsb]

Its no big deal as long as your running water deeper than the draft.

I ran a boat with a 9 foot draft all over the islands and up and down the east coast. Did we have to select where we went based on that? Kind of. We would dingy in from a mooring or anchorage when necessary but no big loss. We also had a more stable and solid vessel because of the draft so there's 2 sides to the story.

 

[doc g]

wow, and all i was gonna say is "it depends who you talk to " ................Pat

 

[oscarvan]

And you have to admire all that have not taken your title out of context!

I sat staring at an empty reply box for a long time......

 

[Eddieclemons]

I wouldn't want (for us) a longer or wider boat due to constraints of finding slips where we visit. But on the other coast of FL we fit into the "small" slips. You are in the planning buyer stage so fairly easy to figure out what your needs are rather than regret what you end up with.

So a 50ish boat would make transient docking more difficult than your 46C on the West Side in the Gulf? Thanks, Eddie

 

[Briankinley2004]

My 55 Convertible drafts 4'10" fully loaded so thinking if you stayed with a Hatteras you should be fine the 50-54' range. The Bertrams draft more. I recently delivered a 54 Bertram across the Gulf. It had a 5' draft and was bumping bottom to get in a marina in Mobile. We wound up going somewhere else. Madhatter nailed it on Florida West coast. I keep mine about half loaded so I draft about 4'6". Canal is 6' deep a mean low tide. I will only come in or out at mid to high tide. Water is actually shallower right out of the channel in the Gulf than it is in the canal. I learned in Lake Ponchatrain not to hit the throttles to plane until I am in about 12' of water. You will squat and touch bottom. Up where I am at thats about 8 miles out. Also the type of bottom makes a difference. Mud is more forgiving than rock.

 

[Eddieclemons]

My 55 Convertible drafts 4'10" fully loaded so thinking if you stayed with a Hatteras you should be fine the 50-54' range. The Bertrams draft more. I recently delivered a 54 Bertram across the Gulf. It had a 5' draft and was bumping bottom to get in a marina in Mobile. We wound up going somewhere else. Madhatter nailed it on Florida West coast. I keep mine about half loaded so I draft about 4'6". Canal is 6' deep a mean low tide. I will only come in or out at mid to high tide. Water is actually shallower right out of the channel in the Gulf than it is in the canal. I learned in Lake Ponchatrain not to hit the throttles to plane until I am in about 12' of water. You will squat and touch bottom. Up where I am at thats about 8 miles out. Also the type of bottom makes a difference. Mud is more forgiving than rock.

That's interesting. The specs in listings usually show the late 80's Hatts at 5' for the 52, 5'6" for the 50, and 5'6" for the 54. 54 Bert at 4'10". Thanks

 

[madhatter1]

So a 50ish boat would make transient docking more difficult than your 46C on the West Side in the Gulf? Thanks, Eddie

It definitely would for me but maybe not so much or at all for you. I depends on where and how you plan on using it. Customize based on your own needs. Simply just put thought into and then don’t look back.

 

[madhatter1]

Oh, and the girls say there is a big difference, regardless of the motion of the ocean

 

[rourkeh]

For some women it can make a big difference.
When it comes to vessel draft..

 

[krush]

As long as my nipples are wet, my boat should be safe. That's what I use for check draft.

If I put the tabs down, my boat pops right up on plane and doesn't squat much.

 

[captainwjm]

In the Keys, even in the ICW, 4 to 6 inches is a lot. We had 5' and there were sections that were no go for me, eventhough we were homeported in Islamorada. That prohibition also applied to cuts from bayside to Hawk Channel. We recently sold our boat and are looking for a shallower draft.

 

[Passages]

In the Keys, even in the ICW, 4 to 6 inches is a lot. We had 5' and there were sections that were no go for me, even though we were homeported in Islamorada. That prohibition also applied to cuts from bayside to Hawk Channel. We recently sold our boat and are looking for a shallower draft.

I draw 4'10" and polished my props going from Hawks Channel to Caesar Creek.


Bahamas on the other hand will scare the heck out of you if you are not used to water that clear. I had panic attacks crossing the Banks thinking I was about to hit even though the DF read 12'.

btw - Surprised Freeebird is not all over a thread with a title like this one.

 

[Fanfare]

Drawing 4 ft. in my 50MY I have covered both the entire Inside and Outside routes from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West and not touched bottom except once when I was not paying attention and thought I could cut a corner too soon. Fortunately it was just sand and no damage was done. My bad!

 

[Bob Quinn]

4 inches less and he would be a Queen, 4 inches more and he would be a King.
Couldn't Not reply LOL

 

[Eddieclemons]

In the Keys, even in the ICW, 4 to 6 inches is a lot. We had 5' and there were sections that were no go for me, eventhough we were homeported in Islamorada. That prohibition also applied to cuts from bayside to Hawk Channel. We recently sold our boat and are looking for a shallower draft.

What draft are looking for? I take it, it will not be a Hatteras?