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stark · 28-06-2010, 18:59

I'm still in the saving up phase, but eventually I will do a round-the-world trip. One question I've been wondering about (as I peruse yachtworld.com) is how long is too long? At what point does having a deep draught really start to restrict where you can go?

From what I've read, it seems like 6' is pretty typical.

I know this can be location specific, but for now I'm thinking mostly the traditional circumnavigator's route.

Best
Paul

maxingout · 28-06-2010, 19:42

If the goal is to circumnavigate rather than to cruise, I would go for maximum draft - eight or more feet in a monohull.

If the goal is to cruise, I would like no more than five feet of draft for most of the cruising destinations that I have visited.

Bash · 28-06-2010, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxingout

If the goal is to circumnavigate rather than to cruise, I would go for maximum draft - eight or more feet in a monohull.

If the goal is to cruise, I would like no more than five feet of draft for most of the cruising destinations that I have visited.

Score one for Dave! What does that cat of yours draw, anyway? 1 meter?

Actually, I like that differentiation: circumnavigate or cruise. I draw seven feet, which is one foot too short for sailing close-hauled, and one foot too long for gunkholing.

**Jim Cate** · 28-06-2010, 20:11

G'Day Stark,

Well, we've been cruising (not circumnavigating!) for 24 years now, mostly in the SW Pacific basin, and each of our two yachts have drawn 7'2" (2.2 M). For us, the considerable advantages in sailing performance far outweigh the occasional concern about shallow water. As we have told countless folks who reckon that one can't cruise with this draft: "we just run aground a little bit farther from the beach than you do". What this really means is that everyone sometimes pushes the limits of their draft just a bit too far and gets stuck for a while. Not fun, but not the end of the world in most cases!

In short, our draft has never kept us from going where we wished. If we were cruising the Bahamas I likely couldn't make that statement!

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Manly Qld Oz, trying to paint the decks

SaltyMonkey · 28-06-2010, 20:20

Umm sorry, I don't quite think this is well rounded advice. Draught should really depend on design characteristics related to recovery, buoyancy displacement.

maxingout - has a 39 foot CAT
Bash - a 46 ft sloop tsk tsk
Jim - a 46 ft sloop shame shame

The traditional route has taken many boats with moderate size keels, and moderate sizes as well.

Bash · 28-06-2010, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

The traditional route has taken many boats with moderate size keels, and moderate sizes as well.

Oh... Gosh... I specifically asked that last broker to sell me a moderately sized boat.

Actually, I had this current boat designed around the refrigeration system, and then asked them to derive the specs for length, draft and displacement from those design parameters.

I'm going to have the next boat designed around a wood-burning fireplace.

maxingout · 28-06-2010, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bash

Score one for Dave! What does that cat of yours draw, anyway? 1 meter?

Actually, I like that differentiation: circumnavigate or cruise. I draw seven feet, which is one foot too short for sailing close-hauled, and one foot too long for gunkholing.

We draw about four feet with all our cruising gear on board. I never made a major attempt to keep Exit Only light, and I have always tended toward heavier displacement even in my catamaran. Flying a hull was never a worry on Exit Only.

SailFastTri · 28-06-2010, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bash

Oh... Gosh... I specifically asked that last broker to sell me a moderately sized boat.

Actually, I had this current boat designed around the refrigeration system, and then asked them to derive the specs for length, draft and displacement from those design parameters.

I'm going to have the next boat designed around a wood-burning fireplace.

LOL! Aren't current production cruisers designed around the galley?

Bash · 28-06-2010, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxingout

I have always tended toward heavier displacement

yeah--talk to me. My last two boats have both advertised 6.5' drafts, but that sure changes once you move a toothbrush aboard. I've measured mine in the water, and it's a full 7'. Once you move in with 300' of chain, and put a dink on the davits, and....

**Jim Cate** · 28-06-2010, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

Umm sorry, I don't quite think this is well rounded advice. Draught should really depend on design characteristics related to recovery, buoyancy displacement.

maxingout - has a 39 foot CAT
Bash - a 46 ft sloop tsk tsk
Jim - a 46 ft sloop shame shame

The traditional route has taken many boats with moderate size keels, and moderate sizes as well.

What in the world are you on about, mate???

The OP asked for opinions about the maximum draft that was reasonable for a cruising boat, not about your myopic opinions as to what is an acceptable cruising design or size. My response was based on 24 years and over 125K sea miles of real cruising in two boats that were 2.2 metres draft. Both were designed by real naval architects who probably knew all about "recovery, bouyancy and displacement".

Jim

Bash · 28-06-2010, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

LOL! Aren't current production cruisers designed around the galley?

Only a bachelor would ask such a question.

Bash · 28-06-2010, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

What in the world are you on about, mate???

I think he was engaging in a bit of good-natured teasing. At least that's how I interpreted it. We'll tease him back when he's no longer in between boats.

SailFastTri · 28-06-2010, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bash

Only a bachelor would ask such a question.

... or someone who enjoys boats made for sailing. That means narrow beam/LOA and deep keel in a mono, and narrow hulls, daggerboards and light weight in a multi. You don't get those without trade-offs.

My point was many production boats are sold based on the fancy galley and plush interior, and are used mainly for dockside entertaining.

(Sorry about the thread drift. I'll shut up now.)

**Jim Cate** · 28-06-2010, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bash

I think he was engaging in a bit of good-natured teasing. At least that's how I interpreted it. We'll tease him back when he's no longer in between boats.

Could be, could be.....