Survey surprise hurts FL plans

[Tom1340]

My survey last week of a Beneteau 393 in the Caribbean showed the boat to be the deep draft model (6'3") instead of the 5' shoal draft as indicated in the broker's listing. My plan was to sail back to US by way of short hops in Bahamas, then lure my non-sailing spouse aboard to explore ICW and FL Keys. I've very limited experience in my intended cruising grounds, but I fear this draft is going to be a constant problem, both during cruising and eventually in finding an east coast buyer when time comes to resell. I've got 2 days to accept or reject the vessel and I don't have a clue what I'm going to do. Advice and comments are welcome.
Thanks, Tom

[Dulcesuenos]

Id pass but that's just me. Depending on where your plans would take you look at charts and note the avg depths. Most channels have plenty of water. North west side of fl is very shallow and limiting with a 6' draft. Bahamas would be as well I imagine. How could the broker not know is scary ...

[xymotic]

It might be worth checking the records of Beneteau as well, the surveyor might be incorrect just as easily as the broker.

[Tom1340]

The draft is no longer in question. Broker agrees with surveyor. Listing "had a typo". I guess I'm going to pass on this one.
Tom

[Matt Johnson]

Ouch... how much money have you invested in this typo? That stinks, but I would wait for what you want.

[Sand crab]

I'm confused, easily. Did they make 2 versions and if so is one more valuable then the other? Also will the seller and/or the broker be willing to discount it to make the deal go through? Might be worth living with the deeper draft if the price is right. Good Luck BOB

[Pavalijo]

Is there any recourse on a "misdescription" of that nature in the boating world? If this were a property here in the UK it would be covered by a Misdescriptions Act and there is a good chance that the estate agent would be required to reimburse you - I would ask for the survey fee to be picked up by the broker.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Tom1340

My survey last week of a Beneteau 393 in the Caribbean showed the boat to be the deep draft model (6'3") instead of the 5' shoal draft as indicated in the broker's listing. My plan was to sail back to US by way of short hops in Bahamas, then lure my non-sailing spouse aboard to explore ICW and FL Keys. I've very limited experience in my intended cruising grounds, but I fear this draft is going to be a constant problem, both during cruising and eventually in finding an east coast buyer when time comes to resell. I've got 2 days to accept or reject the vessel and I don't have a clue what I'm going to do. Advice and comments are welcome.
Thanks, Tom

Tom--

We have been cruising a First 42 with a 6.5' draft out of the Tampa Bay area for the past 10 years without any problems save having to time our entry/exits through some passes from time-to-time. Prior to our buying the boat, the original owner lived and sailed her in the Chesapeake and routinely cruised her from the Bahamas to Maine and back, also without major issues. The 393 is a good boat and the draft should not be a major problem. It may deny a few anchorages but not all that many of consequence, eh?

FWIW...

[FSMike]

I've spent a good bit of time sailing the Florida coast and the Bahamas on vessels with drafts from 5'10" to 3'6". Personally I would pass on a 6'6" draft. You can do it but it won't be nearly as much fun.

[Tom1340]

Thanks for all your comments. I've got about $3500 in the survey and travel. I don't think I have any recourse to recover this money and if I walk away, I'll consider it an investment in my education.
svHiLyte, yours is the kind of feed back I'm looking for. Are there any deep draft sailors, particularly on the east coast of FL, who want to weigh in?

[Cheechako]

We sailed Fl and the Bahamas with 6-5 draft the first time we did it. Didnt have the guts to try the Keys and it did limit us some. It's not impossible to revise the keel shorter and add a bulb if it's bolt on lead. Saw one cut with a saw....if iron... hmmm pretty tough unless you own a large machine shop and want to remove the keel!

[Jimbo2010]

Swap the keel for the shoal, it's less than 10K get a deeper discount on the boat.

[Therapy]

Only a little experience with a couple of 6'5" drafts.

Not for me.

HyLyte - can you get into Pelican Bay?

[xymotic]

Damn, these posts are making me feel bad with my 7' draft.

[nautical62]

I had the exact thing happen when looking at a Hunter 30. It was hard to pass, but I did and I'm very glad I passed. You were limiting your search to shallower draft boats for a reason. That reason isn't gone.