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21-01-2018, 01:46
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 11
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6Ft Draft in Bahamas
Hi. We are considering a cruise to the Bahamas / we have a large boat with a 6ft draft. Any advise aside from the obvious of. It running aground? Any cruisers know of or have particular advise on routing and what is good for a larger vessel?
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21-01-2018, 02:11
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Bellingham
Boat: Outbound 44
Posts: 9,319
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
We spent a season in the Exmuas with 6.5 ft draft without any issues. We passed through the Abacos and had to watch a little closer. Your draft should not be a big issue.
__________________
Paul
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21-01-2018, 04:59
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#3
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CLOD
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: being planted in Jacksonville Fl
Boat: none
Posts: 20,415
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
I did Abacos, Eleuthera, Exuma last year with 6'4" draft. It's not a problem overall and I never touched bottom.
__________________
Don't ask a bunch of unknown forum people if it is OK to do something on YOUR boat. It is your boat, do what you want! 
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21-01-2018, 06:47
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Boat: Hylas 54
Posts: 259
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
Quote:
Originally Posted by aussiesailorboy
Hi. We are considering a cruise to the Bahamas / we have a large boat with a 6ft draft. Any advise aside from the obvious of. It running aground? Any cruisers know of or have particular advise on routing and what is good for a larger vessel? |
You will be fine. We did with 7ft and no problems. Watch the depth sounder, the charts and the tide. You may need to anchor out a bit off the shore but with a good ground tackle you will be OK. Some placed you will have to wait for the tide to be prudent...and move on a rising tide not HW slack!
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21-01-2018, 08:19
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 11
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hobiehobie
You will be fine. We did with 7ft and no problems. Watch the depth sounder, the charts and the tide. You may need to anchor out a bit off the shore but with a good ground tackle you will be OK. Some placed you will have to wait for the tide to be prudent...and move on a rising tide not HW slack! |
Ah. That's good advise. Thanks
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21-01-2018, 08:22
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Southport, NC
Boat: Pearson 367 cutter, 36'
Posts: 657
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
6 foot draft is not an issue - I draft 5' 6", and never came within four feet of bottom. Get Explorer Chartbooks and electronic version and follow the recommended course lines - you can trust their charted depths. There might be a few places you want to cross at / near high tide just for added peace of mind, but no problem with your draft.
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21-01-2018, 08:26
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,510
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
Did the Exumas and some other with 6-5 draft. Yes there will be places you cant go, but mostly pretty good. If going to Georgetown exit the banks getting there before Rudder Cut.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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21-01-2018, 08:26
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,909
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
We have been taking five there and haven't run aground in the Bahamas, yet. (my last aground was a sailboat with four foot draft in Bimini Harbor!) If it was six, I don't think it would be any harder, you just have to take your depth into account in route planning.
But, , definitely don't try to run inside along Musha and Rudder Cay. We skim that route at high tide with 5 feet!
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Founding member of the controversial Calypso rock band, Guns & Anchors!
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21-01-2018, 09:00
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Annapolis MD
Boat: Building a Max Cruise 44 hybrid electric cat
Posts: 3,198
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
Explorer Charts, Explorer Charts, Explorer Charts.... can't stress this enough! You'll be just fine with 6' depth if you follow what you see on these charts.
Matt
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21-01-2018, 10:35
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,909
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
Quote:
Originally Posted by funjohnson
Explorer Charts, Explorer Charts, Explorer Charts.... can't stress this enough! You'll be just fine with 6' depth if you follow what you see on these charts.
Matt
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Yep! Don't even think about going without the Explorer Chartbooks! 
__________________
Founding member of the controversial Calypso rock band, Guns & Anchors!
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21-01-2018, 13:15
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Annapolis
Boat: Moody 54
Posts: 44
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
The advice to anchor a bit further out is great. Also, and very important for a good night’s sleep, is your anchor. We struggled with our CQR. We switched to an Ultra.
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22-01-2018, 05:18
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#12
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,328
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Re: 6Ft Draft in Bahamas
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"
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