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#1
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newbie question: low water/minimum draft
Howdy - I'm a newbie but I'm trying to be a responsible poster (I've lurked
for a few days, searched last few months worth of posts, searched old FAQs, etc.) .... I have almost (but not quite) zero boating experience, but I'm starting to plan to get into boating hopefully next summer with a first boat purchase. I'm planning to use the fall/winter/spring to education myself. Here's my first issue: the place I'd be docking is quite shallow, probably tends to have ~ 22 - 24" of depth by a typical August. I might be able to extend the dock a bit, but it'd still be quite shallow and I'd rather not add anymore dock. I'll probably be looking to get a bowrider of some kind, in the 16-19' range. So ... my questions: 1. If a particular boat model lists a minimum draft of say, 18" (drive up), would that be do-able in my situation? Assuming the boat would have a power trim capability on an outboard motor, would it be feasible to get in/out with the prop just barely underwater? 2. I'm guessing motor weight would be important to consider? If so, is it correct that an outboard would tend to be better than an I/O? And a 2-stroke would be lighter than a 4? 3. Would a deep-V hull be worse than a less-deep V hull? 4. I'd prefer a fiberglass boat, but would I be much better off with aluminum? 5. Are there any particular boat makes/models that would be particularly good for my situation? 6. Finally, anything else I'm missing, I should be thinking about? Thanks very much for any help or ideas. -Tom |
#2
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Thomas Ivacko wrote:
: I have almost (but not quite) zero boating experience, but I'm starting to : plan to get : into boating hopefully next summer with a first boat purchase. I'm planning : to use the : fall/winter/spring to education myself. What kind of boating do you want to do? Fishing, cruising, water skiing or?? That would help us help you determine the best boat. Below you mention aluminum boats and they would be good for fishing and would have little draft but if you're gonna do water skiing, the answer may be different (yes, you can water ski behind some aluminum boats, yada yada). : Here's my first issue: the place I'd be docking is quite shallow, probably : tends to : have ~ 22 - 24" of depth by a typical August. I might be able to extend the : dock a : bit, but it'd still be quite shallow and I'd rather not add anymore dock. You probably don't want a big, heavy Deep-V boat. If a wake comes by, it may bottom out and cause abrasion. You may also want to check in to those "floating boat elevator" thingies to get the boat outta the water when docked for long periods (it'd definitely protect the boat). Check out West Marine catalog for this (and others). : 1. If a particular boat model lists a minimum draft of say, 18" (drive up), : would that : be do-able in my situation? Assuming the boat would have a power trim : capability on : an outboard motor, would it be feasible to get in/out with the prop just : barely underwater? It'd probably work but again, keep the boat size light and below 18 ft. or so. It's just not what floats in calm water but what sinks below when in boat wakes washed ashore, etc. : 2. I'm guessing motor weight would be important to consider? If so, is it : correct : that an outboard would tend to be better than an I/O? And a 2-stroke would : be lighter : than a 4? 2 stroke is lighter than a 4 and you wouldn't heat up gimbal drives when running the motor at a high level of tilt when going in and out. Actually, a jet boat would be better for shallow water but as mentioned in a previous posting here, they are less efficient and harder to maneuver. : 3. Would a deep-V hull be worse than a less-deep V hull? Yes. However Deep V hulls handle mostly better in rough water. Is the water rough where you are? : 4. I'd prefer a fiberglass boat, but would I be much better off with : aluminum? Aluminum hulls are lighter weight and will draft less. Again, is it for fishing or something else? There are some pretty nice aluminum jet boats designed for shallow water. : 5. Are there any particular boat makes/models that would be particularly : good for : my situation? Many, many. Try checking out Trailer Boats Magazine or their online site. : 6. Finally, anything else I'm missing, I should be thinking about? Tell us what type of boating you're interested in, how rough the water is. That'd help. barry |
#3
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Here's my first issue: the place I'd be docking is quite shallow, probably
tends to have ~ 22 - 24" of depth by a typical August. I might be able to extend the dock a bit, but it'd still be quite shallow and I'd rather not add anymore dock. I'll probably be looking to get a bowrider of some kind, in the 16-19' range. So ... my questions: 1. If a particular boat model lists a minimum draft of say, 18" (drive up), would that be do-able in my situation? Assuming the boat would have a power trim capability on an outboard motor, would it be feasible to get in/out with the prop just barely underwater? That leaves you 4" below the boat. Thats not enough as you may load things in it or the water may get rough. 2. I'm guessing motor weight would be important to consider? If so, is it correct that an outboard would tend to be better than an I/O? And a 2-stroke would be lighter than a 4? Draft of a boat is draft but a lighter boat will have less draft ... 2 stroke is lighter .. if it matters on the total is questionable. 3. Would a deep-V hull be worse than a less-deep V hull? not really 4. I'd prefer a fiberglass boat, but would I be much better off with aluminum? aluminum is more resitant for scratches. Matt |
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