Shoal draft sailing

[Dieter Hugel]

Ahoy!

Does anybody have any suggestions regarding how to get the best performance out of a shoal draft design? Thanks.

[ctl411]

Keeping boat speed up helps. More speed gives more lift on all keels but more critical when handicaped by shoal draft. So clean smooth bottom, folding/feathering prop good (not blownout ) sails. Still not going to keep up with a deep draft model similarly equipped.

[thomm225]

Buy a new mainsail. (with luff to leach battens)

Have a thick set of battens for heavy wind and a thinner set for light winds

Rake the mast more. (for stronger winds)

Put prebend in the mast for a flatter mainsail. (for stronger winds)

Add rail meat.

Lots of tension on the luff during heavy wind.

Max outhaul during heavy wind

[ctl411]

Forgot the best, sail where deep draft can't...

[Hydra]

Avoid sailing close hauled.

Alain

[sartorst]

My current boat is a wing keel and a fractional rig which has been a big change for me , I have always used my jib as my primary driving force and my keel took care of me and all my poor sailing . My previous year of racing was not good I have learned to give the main more attention and fall off and keep her on her feet , you cant point with the deep keels ! Every thing you gain in direction you will give up in leeway . Just enjoy the fact that you can get in places that they cant

[Sailmonkey]

Reef early and sail flat......even though SOG decreases, VMG increases.


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[SteveInMD]

+1 for reefing early. The keel can be your limiting factor. Don't overpower the keel with too much sail when sailing close to the wind.

[rognvald]

Unless you are a hardcore racer, there is no need for a deep draught vessel for a cruising sailor. It's detriments far outweigh its positives. Certain shoal draft keels do induce more leeway on close/beam reaches or in wave/current conditions but it is a small trade-off for access to safe, protected anchorages and traversing shoal draft cruising areas. Thomm and Steve have given some good recommendations for sail trim and will be beneficial to shoal draft sailors. Having owned both deep draught and shoal draft vessels(my current boat), I would never choose a deep draught vessel for cruising. Good luck and safe sailing. P.S. I remember well a night safely secured in 4.5 feet of water behind the mangroves(mud bottom)in the lower Florida Bay Keys when 50-70 knot gusts over a 2 hour period wreaked havoc among several cruising boats anchored in deeper water causing considerable damage to hulls and rigging as they dragged through the anchorage. The next day, several boats returned to Miami and Marathon to effect necessary repairs.

[Hoosiersailor]

Iron jenny?

[Hydra]

Originally Posted by rognvald

Unless you are a hardcore racer, there is no need for a deep draught vessel for a cruising sailor. It's detriments far outweigh its positives. Certain shoal draft keels do induce more leeway on close/beam reaches or in wave/current conditions but it is a small trade-off for access to safe, protected anchorages and traversing shoal draft cruising areas.

IMO, there is some middle ground between shoal and deep draft. The capability to enter shallow harbours is important but I wouldn't give up the possibility of making progress to windward, e.g. for escaping from a lee shore in serious weather. Motoring isn't my preferred option: I don't like this music.

In tidal areas, the capability to take the ground (centreboard, beaching legs or bilge keels) is probably more useful than a really shoal draft.

Alain