Deep draft in the Bahamas

[daletournier]

Hi , Sukha has 2.4m (7 foot 10 draft).

How much of an inconvenience is this in the Bahamas? I accept there's someplaces I won't be able to go BUT I'm assuming it's still worth heading up there?

[dougweibel]

Hi there,

We have spent time the last two winters in the Bahamas with a 5'4" draft. This last year we made friends with a couple in a 8' draft boat. It was interesting to see where we went that they did not.

First, go! The Bahamas are wonderful and whatever your draft it will restrict you some places unless you have a cat, and even then a bit. Still there are plenty of places you can go. Our friends often had to anchor further out in anchorages and we did go some places they could not, but there are so many places you can go with 8' draft - you just have to plan a bit more and not expect to get in to all the popular anchorages, or at least not as deep in them

Doug from S/V Meri
YouTube - 'The Meri Crew'

[Cheechako]

Yes it will be a bit of an issue at times. I did them with 6'-5" draft and it was nip and tuck some places. You will just have to be careful where you go, there are many places where it will be ok also though.

[a64pilot]

You have a nice big dinghy?
I ask as you will be anchored out with the Mega Yachts. Without a big, fast dinghy I’d say you won’t like it nearly as much.

[daletournier]

Thanks for replys. Yep have a big dinghy, thus can do some miles.

[sy_gilana]

We have 8'6" enjoyed Bahamas immensely. A little restrictive but all part of the fun.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by sy_gilana

We have 8'6" enjoyed Bahamas immensely. A little restrictive but all part of the fun.

Wow, I'm a shorty compared to you.

[Davidhoy]

Hey Dale, are you headed up this way from Grenada? During or after hurricane season?

Let me know when you're headed to the Bahamas and I'll try to join you. We deep-keel C470's gotta stick together - heck, we have no choice ;-)

-David

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Davidhoy

Hey Dale, are you headed up this way from Grenada? During or after hurricane season?

Let me know when you're headed to the Bahamas and I'll try to join you. We deep-keel C470's gotta stick together - heck, we have no choice ;-)

-David

Hi David, if I come that far north it will be after Hurricane season.

I'm enjoying going no where right now and dreaming about the places I want go..lol.

Can't get the west coast of Mexico out of my head at the moment.

Cheers Dale.

[Mabel Page]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Hi , Sukha has 2.4m (7 foot 10 draft).

How much of an inconvenience is this in the Bahamas? I accept there's someplaces I won't be able to go BUT I'm assuming it's still worth heading up there?

Yes, definitely go! I just got back and have a 6’ 9” draft. Plenty of people with moderately deep drafts like yours in the bahamas. Just do your research with charts and cruising guides.

Russell

[dougweibel]

Originally Posted by Mabel Page

Yes, definitely go! I just got back and have a 6’ 9” draft. Plenty of people with moderately deep drafts like yours in the bahamas. Just do your research with charts and cruising guides.

Russell

Russell's post reminds me to mention that Navionics charts are OK in the Abacos but very unreliable for depths in the Exumas. Fortunately they tend to indicate shallower than actual so at least looking at them only keeps you from going places you could rather than having you try to go places you cannot.

Doug from SV Meri
YouTube - 'The Meri Crew'