Very Shallow Draft Boats <3 feet

[Rohan]

The Seaward 32RK, and it's smaller cousin, the 26RK would fit your needs perfectly. Some of the newer 32s look very good. But I believe you can only buy it used. I hope I'm wrong, but sadly I don't believe they are produced anymore.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/seaward-32rk

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/seaward-26rk

[Frankly]

I have an IP32 keel/ centerboard (draws 3.5'). The bayou I live on has a mud bottom. Over 17 years and two different slip positions my boat is now sitting in a water depth of at least 6/7 ft (normal tide) and so is the old location (probably started with 4'). The normal coming and going is going to blow that mud away pretty quickly (little extra throttle doesn't hurt).

Winter North wind blows a lot of water out of the bay and she balances nicely on that big flat IP keel. Doing that for 17 years with no problem. On a few rare occasions she has layed over, just be sure the dock piling and stanchions don't line up.

Get the IP, a 31 keel cb only draws 3ft.


Frankly

[Cheechako]

On the cheap: Chrysler 26. Good sailing boat with a swing keel. Old now.
But with your longer term plans a 28-30 would be nice.

Cape Dory 270, 3 ft draft
Chrysler 26, 2.25 draft
Freedom 28 cat ketch, 2.5 draft
Gib Sea 28, 2.8 draft
IP 26, 2.3 draft
Seaward 26RK, 1.25 draft
Dufour 32 Integral, 2 draft

[thomm225]

So I bought my Bristol 27 that was located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 2011.

Low tide slip depth was about 2’ - 2.5’

My boat draws 4’ with its fixed encapsulated cutaway full keel.

I had to come and go from the marina like an hour either side of high tide.

So you can have a 4’ - 5’ keel but it would probably need to be a full keel

It’s pretty cool to get on your boat during low tide when in its slip because it’s real stable! Usually no movement at all …….

There was a Westsail 32 at that marina also and that has at least a 5’ keel