1986 C&C 29 MK2 on the Chesapeake?

[GRH]

Hi everyone…

I’m looking at a 1986 C&C 29 MK2 as a potential first boat, and I’d be sailing on the Chesapeake (around Annapolis). I like the fact that this boat has a reputation for being fast and well built. However, the draft is 5.3 feet. In your experience, is this going to be too deep of a keel for a boat based on the Chesapeake? Thanks!

[Grandwagoneer0]

Draft is fine.

[GRH]

That’s good to hear. Thanks very much.

[Grandwagoneer0]

We sail out of Baltimore and put in a lot of miles every yr in that area. We draw 5 feet and go pretty much anywhere we want to go.

[GRH]

That’s fantastic. Thanks so much for your feedback, Grandwagoneer0!

[Peterbreit]

My Beneteau 461 draws 6' which limits me in certain areas. For example, I cannot transit the Kent Narrows North channel unless it is +- 2hours to High Tide. The same goes for the Tillman Island channel and gunk hauling in smaller creeks. But 99% of the time you will be ok.
I sailed and raced a friend's 33' CC. Fast boat, well build but has limited cruising comfort. Like a small water tank and food storage.
Good luck

[Peterbreit]

The Cape Dory are well built boats but rather small inside. I like to think boats build from the 80s on are designed for more space and comfort. My first boat was a 1981 Catalina 30'. very spacious and great, fast sailing. As a first boat I believe you would be happier with one drawing less then 5'. Saber are great boats too.
A friend of mine bought a 30' Bristol (Quality boat) in Deale for $7k. Did some work on it and sailed it all the way to the Bahamas and Cuba to the Rio Dulce, Honduras I believe.
Cheers, keep us posted.

[JaaaPeee]

We had a 1978 C&C 29 Mk1. Draft was listed as 5'7". Sure, we touched the "ooky gook" bottom of the Chesapeake a few times. The fin keel was easy to get out of the mud, unlike a winged keel that acts like an anchor. We graduated to a 1977 38' C&C with 6'2" keel. We found the mud a few more times, but great sailing all over the CB from Havre de Grace to Norfolk. Enjoy the Bay, and watch your chartplotter and your depth gauge.

[GRH]

I guess it comes down to whether you prioritize a deeper keel and the better pointing ability that comes with it or the shallower keel and the greater accessibility to shallower water, right? Honestly, I think I would prefer the better upwind performance, and as was just mentioned the fin keel should be easy to dislodge from the “mud”. What do you all prefer? Upwind performance or more access to shallow water?

Also, I looked into centerboard keel options, and I think I will pass that option up just for the sake of keeping things simple (in terms of maintenance).

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by GRH

I guess it comes down to whether you prioritize a deeper keel and the better pointing ability that comes with it or the shallower keel and the greater accessibility to shallower water, right? Honestly, I think I would prefer the better upwind performance, and as was just mentioned the fin keel should be easy to dislodge from the “mud”. What do you all prefer? Upwind performance or more access to shallow water?

Also, I looked into centerboard keel options, and I think I will pass that option up just for the sake of keeping things simple (in terms of maintenance).

If your a racer, upwind wind performance is paramount.

If you are a cruiser or day sailor, it doesn't matter unless you are in a hurry. All monohull are slow though.

I raced beach cats for 15 years and my last two could point 30-35 degrees off the wind.

My present boat in heavy wind is lucky to point within 50-65 degrees of the wind, but it can take a grounding can get into most any creek/river on the Bay. It draws 4'

The keel speaks for itself

Plus I got it for $2,000 in 2011.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iViRCw8KB2Y

[Kd9truck]

Originally Posted by GRH

I guess it comes down to whether you prioritize a deeper keel and the better pointing ability that comes with it or the shallower keel and the greater accessibility to shallower water, right? Honestly, I think I would prefer the better upwind performance, and as was just mentioned the fin keel should be easy to dislodge from the “mud”. What do you all prefer? Upwind performance or more access to shallow water?

Also, I looked into centerboard keel options, and I think I will pass that option up just for the sake of keeping things simple (in terms of maintenance).

I prefer deeper draft, I have 7.5 ft on a 44 ft vessel, she points high and gives no leeway (that I will admit too) I have sailed the Chesapeake but not extensively yet, I don’t need to go everywhere. There’s plenty to do even at 9.5 ft draft, I spent a couple of weeks crewing on a friends vessel, we never felt restricted.
I had a 1990 Beneteau 285 (wing keel) she drew 4.5 ft, she pointed really well but lost a lot of ground to leeway. I think leeway loss is greater at slower speeds.
So shorter vessels are affected more, I think.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Kd9truck

I prefer deeper draft, I have 7.5 ft on a 44 ft vessel, she points high and gives no leeway (that I will admit too) I have sailed the Chesapeake but not extensively yet, I don’t need to go everywhere. There’s plenty to do even at 9.5 ft draft, I spent a couple of weeks crewing on a friends vessel, we never felt restricted.
I had a 1990 Beneteau 285 (wing keel) she drew 4.5 ft, she pointed really well but lost a lot of ground to leeway. I think leeway loss is greater at slower speeds.
So shorter vessels are affected more, I think.

You won't sail much of the Bay with that draft.

You can motor the main channels though.

[sailingharry]

I grew up sailing out of Annapolis on a boat that drew six feet. My first boat was a Sabre 34 with a keel/center board that drew 4 ft board up. My current boat is a Saga 43 with a 7-ft keel. Yes, the Sabre went to some amazing places. But even at 7 ft, we find plenty to get into. There is no line for those who draw more than that can't sail and those who draw less can go everywhere. Except maybe a canoe. Every few inches adds a little bit more restriction, but there is plenty of the Bay at 6 ft.

[Kd9truck]

Originally Posted by thomm225

You won't sail much of the Bay with that draft.

You can motor the main channels though.

Which my 44 with 7.5 feet or my friends 56 with 9.5? I will anchor in 10 ft, but I’m not much of small space sailor, especially if I’m going up wind single handing, in light wind. I find staying a mile off of land cuts almost all of the small boat traffic out, like space the lower bay has plenty of that. When I sailed from Salomon’s to Hampton it was wide open, and we anchored in a nice little bay off the main channel up reason creek.

[Scrimshaw4]

Your draft is fine. 99.9% of the Chesapeake is soft mud. More important is the condition of the boat. Have it surveyed including the condition of the standing rigging. That can get expensive if it needs to be replaced. JMHO