Gunkholing . . . Draft and Bridge Clearance ?

[O.C.Diver]

Ok, so I'm looking at trawlers between 34 & 42'. My plan is to see Eastern North America. Want to cruise NY state canals, Chesapeake bay, ICW, Coastal and Inland FL, and maybe do the Great Loop. I have a home in Ft. Myers, so plan to do a fair amount of gunkholing around the islands and waterways in SW FL.

Draft question:

When it comes to draft, it seems shallower is better to a point. I'm seeing a modest number of boats that draw 3' 6" or a little less. There are some very nice boats that draw 4' 6" or a little less. So, does the difference of say 12" get you into some neat places, greatly expand your anchoring options, and make this kind of cruising significantly easier?

Bridge Clearance Question:

Most of the boats I'm looking at have flybridges with Bimini tops and mast / antennas that lower. For the ICW, NY canals, and other inland waterways, at what height (bridge clearance) do you go under most bridges versus waiting for them to open? Does a 12' bridge clearance get you under many more bridges than 15'?

Appreciate your insights. Never had to deal with this stuff when running charters in the ocean.

Ted

[delmarrey]

Another foot in depth isn't going to make much difference. It's the tide you have to be careful.

If your going to be getting that close to shore you'll most likely want a trawler with a skeg or deep keel wood to protect the prop and possible groundings.

[motion30]

I have a 34 marine trader with a 3' daft I have been from the upper chesapeake to key west burn s 2.5 gph I lived onboard for 7months last year Bridge clearance break seems to be around 18 ft not much difference lower then that in most cases

[O.C.Diver]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

If your going to be getting that close to shore you'll most likely want a trawler with a skeg or deep keel wood to protect the prop and possible groundings.

Yes, I'm planning on a single screw, full keel with skeg that the rudder ties to. Have that in my current boat and see no reason to change.

Ted

[O.C.Diver]

Originally Posted by motion30

I have a 34 marine trader with a 3' daft I have been from the upper chesapeake to key west burn s 2.5 gph I lived onboard for 7months last year Bridge clearance break seems to be around 18 ft not much difference lower then that in most cases

Been looking at a 34 marine trader sedan; nice boats. What speed do you get 2.5 gph at?

Ted

[motion30]

Originally Posted by O.C.Diver

Been looking at a 34 marine trader sedan; nice boats. What speed do you get 2.5 gph at?

Ted

i make 8mph with no current at 1700rpm carry 180 ga of fuel and 100ga of water

[motion30]

here she is in s fl

[O.C.Diver]

Originally Posted by motion30

here she is in s fl

What year is she? Do you burn much less at 6 knots (7mph)? Was talking to an owner who had repowered his with 70+/- HP and was cruising at 6 knots at 1.1 GPH. He was very happy with the repower.

Ted

[motion30]

She is an old girl 1973 but completely redone I am not sure speeed vs mpg seems current controls speed more then anything I have read different fuel burn figures but this is my experience over 1200+hrs great motor very reliable

[beau]

i have a 1 ft draft on my 40 motor sailor trimaran. I have outboards so I can lift them clear and I usually anchor so at low tide I am just floating. It gets us into great spots where other boats can't go.
Sometimes we beach as well, I have a 4 inch "keel" which runs full length of the boat so the antifouling is protected when we beach.
My boat has a number of unique features but I think the shallow draft has been best feature so far.

[Highlander40]

Depending on water level (not tide) the NY canal system has fixed bridges with 12' clearance, at least up to lake Champlain.
Water level is a seasonal thing, depending on rainfall.

My draft is 22 inches, so I love to be were sailors can't go.

[O.C.Diver]

Originally Posted by Highlander40

Depending on water level (not tide) the NY canal system has fixed bridges with 12' clearance, at least up to lake Champlain.
Water level is a seasonal thing, depending on rainfall.

My draft is 22 inches, so I love to be were sailors can't go.

Are you saying 12' is the minimum bridge clearance or it gets less than that?

Ted