"Paul Cassel" wrote in message
. ..
I agree. When I sailed in the North Pacific, the draft of my full keel
boat didn't matter as the shore seemed to drop right off wherever I was.

However, my next boat was in the Atlantic and drew 6' (mod fin keel). I
spent time in the Intercoastal and tried getting to certain places close
inshore. Time after time I was frustrated at how often interesting places
were closed to me.

That got much worse when I got to FL / Caribbean. I never even tried the
Keys or the west coast of FL either which I suppose would be just that
much more annoying.

I think you are right. My boat was in Florida when I bought it and I do not
think it had been much used there since it was brought down from the Great
Lakes area, because it draws 7' and they even ran it aground going to the
shipyard to haul it out for me.
Now in Norway the problem is more often finding somewhere shallow enough to
drop anchor.
People in many places here can moor a 40' deep keel yacht to a small
pontoon at the bottom of their gardens and just step aboard.