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Old 08-05-2012, 19:43   #1
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Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

I have moved from Italy to Miami and now thinking of bringing my beloved Grand Soleil 39 to sail it here. Its draft is 6',3: would it be possible to cruise it along the coat to the Keys and at the Bahamas?
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Old 08-05-2012, 20:14   #2
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

Certainly it is possible. You will have to plan your trips a little more carefully, some harbors you cannot enter but plenty of places you can go. Enough to keep you busy for years if you like.
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Old 08-05-2012, 21:03   #3
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

Welcome to Miami! I wouldn't want a boat with much deeper draft but you'll be fine. Carry a good dinghy that you can explore the shallower areas with. Please stop by my store and say hello.
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Old 08-05-2012, 23:28   #4
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

No problem Alex, I have a six foot draft and have not been too constrained. Just get good charts, watch navigation and work your tides (what little there is of them). Enjoy the Keys, it's a great cruising area.
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Old 09-05-2012, 01:51   #5
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

You'll run aground from time to time if you are at all adventurous. When you do look toward the shore. Between you and the beach will be some guy with a 5' draft, aground. Between him and the beach will be a boat with 4' draft, aground. *grin*

I can't speak to South Florida, but in the Bahamas 6'3" draft won't cause you to miss much at all. Have a great time.
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Old 09-05-2012, 03:35   #6
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

Alex--

We have been cruising the Southwest coast of Florida and the Keys with a 6.5' draft for 10+ years and have had little difficulty. Some areas are too skinney for us, but we simply anchor out and do our explorations by dinghy and still have quite a good time. Being somewhat further off, one also tends to have a bit less problem with bugs during the hot season and somewhat more air movement around the yacht on quite nights.

FWIW...
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Old 09-05-2012, 05:01   #7
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

Welcome aboard! There are sections you might want to avoid on the inside route through the keys, but even most of those are navigable with careful planning with tides. Bahamas shouldn't be much of a problem; however, be VERY careful in areas with coral heads. Getting stuck on a sandbar is an inconvenience...hitting a coral head at 6 or 7 kn is another story. Have a great trip and enjoy!
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Old 09-05-2012, 07:19   #8
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, alexdiomedi.

All good advice, particularly Auspicious' observation (#5):

Quote:
Originally Posted by Auspicious View Post
You'll run aground from time to time if you are at all adventurous. When you do look toward the shore. Between you and the beach will be some guy with a 5' draft, aground. Between him and the beach will be a boat with 4' draft, aground...
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Old 09-05-2012, 08:00   #9
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

At least they have a sandy bottom on FL, for the most part. If nothing else it'll be a soft landing.
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Old 09-05-2012, 14:10   #10
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

Coincidentally there was a boat in Georgetown, Great Exuma today asking if he could get fuel with a 7' draft. Advice he received was that he could get to the fuel dock at high tide, but he'd best not plan on spending the night.
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Old 09-05-2012, 18:27   #11
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

Hi Mike thanks ofr the advice, it really motivate me to bring my boat here, leaving it on a stand in italy for the next few years makes me sad. cheers,Alex
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Old 09-05-2012, 19:57   #12
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

For Bahamas sailing I find my current draft of 4'6" limiting and end up in water shallower than 6 feet almost every day I'm there. I hope to eventually end up with a boat around 3 feet or less draft.

That said, would I automatically trade in a boat or refrain from cruising the Bahamas if I had a boat with a 6+ foot draft?: absolutely not! Study the charts, understand the tides and go have a fun cruise. You'll figure out soon enough whether or not the trade-offs warrant a change for you or not.

Enjoy - the Keys and Bahamas offer some great cruising.
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Old 10-05-2012, 07:30   #13
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

Dear friend, thanks for the advice, like if i needed more encouragement. cheers
Alessandro
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Old 10-05-2012, 07:32   #14
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

Dear Mike, thanks for the advice, i have been sailing for years in Croatia, i know i thing or two about hitting a rock!
ciao
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Old 18-06-2014, 06:56   #15
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Re: Max Draft in South Florida/Bahamas

Dear Mike, i follow up from this old post, i finally have here my boat, it s7' draft and am going to cruis down from miami to key west and the dry tortugas this week,
am curently reading the Waterway guide, but i would be grateful if you could indicate me anchoring and marina options along the route. i have three young kinds and they need to to stretch their legs from time to time. many thanks
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