Maximum Draft for Equatorial Circumnavigation

[capt.cam]

Any comments on the maximum draft of a vessel for a westabout circumnavigation via South Pacific, South Africa, Med, Caribbean.
Thank you in advance for any info!

[zeehag]

wasnt aware of a maximum draft boat for circumnavigation......

[roverhi]

There are probably more but the only two areas that I'm familiar with where shallow draft is a big plus is the Bahamas and Chesapeake Bay. You can still cruise these areas with 6' or even deeper draft, you just have to be very careful and may not be able to get into some anchorages or have to anchor far far out. As a general rule, 6' draft shouldn't hurt you anywhere and even 7'-8' draft won't be a problem in most places. The only penalty with deep draft is you may have to anchor further out on occasion.

[capt.cam]

[QUOTE=zeehag;594817]wasnt aware of a maximum draft boat for circumnavigation....



Just trying to get an idea of entrance depths in these areas. I helped sunsail set up a base many years ago in the Maldives and we bumped a good bit getting into some lagoons. Also wasn't sure if I would have more room in some anchorages tucking in close versus anchoring out deeper. Nice to have room to move.

[savoir]

There are more deep anchorages than shallow ones.

Besides, hungry mosquitoes will stop by the boats anchored closest to shore for their appetiser. By the time they get out through the rows of boats to the guys with deep keels they are full and have no room for desert. Same for thieves.

[Minggat]

Originally Posted by savoir

.

Besides, hungry mosquitoes will stop by the boats anchored closest to shore for their appetiser. By the time they get out through the rows of boats to the guys with deep keels they are full and have no room for desert. Same for thieves.

Best alternative to security hatches or guns that I've ever heard.

[savoir]

Originally Posted by Minggat

Best alternative to security hatches or guns that I've ever heard.

You shoot mosquitoes ? Yikes !

[atoll]

3ft draft with the ability to beach for madagasgar,philipines,borneo,thailand,australia east coast,san blas,ecquador,guatamala.
west africa,senegal ,gambia,guinee bissau.
ne brazil,belize etc.
for every 10 places an average draft vessel can go there are 100 that a beachable shoal draft vessel can go,especially in areas where there are large tides.

as there are fewer undiscovered places left for cruising yachts and anchorages are getting more crowded,shoal draft is the way to go for the more adventurous,and opens up many new cruising grounds around the world.

though if you want to stay on the well beaten cruising round the world route,6-8 ft draft will persent no problem, we did it with an 11ft draft vessel and only very rarely did we touch or get stuck in 60 000 miles.

[GordMay]

The Panama Canal carries a maximum draft of 39.5 ft (12.04 m). The Suez Canal is over 50 Ft deep.
I think those would be the only two absolute limiting choke points; with everywhere else being a matter of degree.

[MarkJ]

Go as deep as you like. Deeper the better for sailing performance. Theres no where we went that was shallow generally.
A few river enterances on the east coast of australia you need to do at high tide, but friends (on this forum) did it with a 3m draft on a 65 footer.

Have fun

[grainedetoile]

I completly agree with atoll :
If sailing only without stopping, the deeper the better. But when you are going to anchorage a 3 feet draft boat open you new horizons, including rivers.

Originally Posted by atoll

3ft draft with the ability to beach for madagasgar,philipines,borneo,thailand,australia east coast,san blas,ecquador,guatamala.
west africa,senegal ,gambia,guinee bissau.
ne brazil,belize etc.
for every 10 places an average draft vessel can go there are 100 that a beachable shoal draft vessel can go,especially in areas where there are large tides.

as there are fewer undiscovered places left for cruising yachts and anchorages are getting more crowded,shoal draft is the way to go for the more adventurous,and opens up many new cruising grounds around the world.

though if you want to stay on the well beaten cruising round the world route,6-8 ft draft will persent no problem, we did it with an 11ft draft vessel and only very rarely did we touch or get stuck in 60 000 miles.