PURPOSE:
The purpose of the thread is to
illustrate the boats designed for shallow water cruising and to show photos and some data about them, including their draft and typical "street price" or Asking Price.
Owner comments about the boats are encouraged and any observations about their distinctive features or comfort or reputations or build is encouraged too. I will continue to add to this thread as I identify boats that fit the criteria listed below. This thread can contain both Mono and Multi-hull boats, but I will post it in the
Monohull forum as that is where most people will be looking for
shallow draft boats.
This is NOT a thread about whether a
shallow draft boat is required (there are many threads discussing that in the archives). This is an
illustrative thread of the types of boats designed for shallow
water cruising.
REASON:
I am starting this thread because over the years I have been a
member of CF I see many new members asking very similar questions about boats suitable for use in
Florida, the
Florida Keys, and the
Bahamas. One common factor is that these are all cruising areas where a shallow
draft boat may be preferred because of the local conditions (shallow water, "skinny water" cruising grounds). While boats with drafts deeper than 6 feet do
cruise those areas, it is a fact that a shallow draft boat will allow its owner to get closer in at
anchorages and to travel through some areas others cannot safely transit due to their deeper draft.
________________
What is "shallow draft?"
For the purpose of this thread, I will say it is a boat that has a draft of LESS THAN SIX FEET.
BOAT CRITERIA FOR THIS THREAD
1. Shallow Draft. (Less than 6' draft)
2. Suitable for Coastal Cruising for a Couple
3. Suitable for cruising to or in the areas of SW
Florida,
Florida Keys,
Bahamas, (and other shallow water areas such as the Chesapeake)
ASKING PRICE:
As I think that one of the most important things to point out for anyone looking to
purchase a boat is the ASKING
PRICE they are able to start with (their maximum
budget for an asking price), I will include the ASKING PRICE of the boats I find. This is a starting point to understanding how much these boats may cost to
purchase. Of course some may be lower, some higher, and the buyer may be able to negotiate a better deal. But, for new members or
new sailors who want an idea of what it may cost to purchase one, this is important to know. The asking price I post will be from a
current or recent
sale listing so we know it is realistic. Just remember, the actual condition of the boat is most important.
PHOTOS:
Pictures are worth a thousand words.
New sailors are not familiar with older boats. So I think it is helpful to post at least one
photo of a boat to show the overal design. I will post one or more photos of the type of boats I find, usually from a
sale listing.
Please Note!
I am NOT selling these boats and I do NOT get a commission. I am simply
posting a link so others may see more photos and get more details of the type of boats discussed. Some links may be to archived photos, some may be to
current listings. As with any boats I post here on CF, I encourage everyone to do their own
research and use a
surveyor prior to purchase. Caveat Emptor!
_______
You can add boats and your observations or opinions here too!
I invite everyone to post boats that fit the "Shallow Draft" category in this thread. When
posting, please include a
photo of that type of boat AND the draft of the boat, at a minimum. If you have experience on that kind of boat, please include your own observations or opinion of how comfortable it was to sail or use. If you know of any particular problems with the design or build, note them too.
If you have a link to a current sale listing, post that, but
please post photo(s) and a brief description of the type of boat (with draft) at a minimum, so this thread contains more than just links.
Old sale listing links can die, so posting the data and photos in this thread is much better than just a link alone.
Remember, the purpose of the thread is to ILLUSTRATE the boats designed for shallow water cruising and to share photos and data and opinions about them.
____________
I sincerely hope this thread helps connect people to a suitable boat for their own adventures!