8ft draft for cruising Bahamas / Florida Keys - is it a problem?

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cardinals

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I'm booked for the ARC this year and after a gentle romp up the Caribbean am intending eventually to keep my boat in Naples, Florida and cruise the Keys and Bahamas. (both noted as shallow waters)

I have the opportunity to buy a much deeper draft boat than my 39ft Feeling swing keel.

I'm looking at going from a 3ft to an 8ft draft!

Does anyone have any experience of these cruising grounds and this issue?

Thank you & Cheers
 
8 feet draft Is it a problem ? OH YES!

You can cruise the Bahamas at 8 ft but you will be restricted as to where you can go and some anchorages will be off limits to you. But it is doable.

Florida is a different story. Unless you stay outside and pick your marinas yous are going to be aground a lot.

Much of the Intercoastal Waterway will be off limits due to shoaling and lots of marinas will give a max depth of 6 ft for access.

It is telling that some brokers in Florida will not list anything with more than 6 ft draft.
 
Most things can be done, but I think 8ft would kick a lot of fun out of the thing and you would not feel comfortable in a great many of the more attractive places in the Bahamas
Choices eh. Your Feeling swing keel sounds ideal for the area, tho perhaps not for the trip there.
 
Have you looked at a chart of Naples? I used to spend a couple months each year there. There is a 5ft spot in Gordon pass, and the main channel is officially 7ft but can be less than that in spots.
 
Thank you for the comments - I suspected it would be impractical but was utterly swayed by a glossy brochure!!

I have the loan of a berth at Pelican Isle YC and Wiggins Pass is only 5ft on checking. Swing keel it is then.
 
We went aground twice with a 5 foot keel. It is not helped by the fact there are two charts and a pilot book for the Bahamas and they disagree on depth. We bet that two out of three would be right, wrong.
 
A swing keeler has to be right for the Bahamas (low seas in Spanish). I'm interested in your plans since I fancy something similar myself. Trust you're organising a US visa to go with your centreboard (and holding tank?!).
 
>Stay away from The Abacos - Green Turtle Cay, Elbow Cay etc etc.

Oh no they are wonderful places, it is there we went aground but it was one of the best and prettiest areas we have ever sailed in. Don't miss it.
 
chuckr said:
why?? depth?? we draft 5' jeanneau ds40 and just had to be a bit careful but not an issue --

as above and looks like you figured it out - over 5' does have a few issues
Click to expand...

Why? ... because he's talking about an 8ft draft ... didn't you read the original post? I've seen many people stuck between the islands bleating 'But we only draw 4ft!' ... it's very shallow! He WILL get stuck!
 
2.4m draft thru the Bananas? A chap who enjoys a bit of a challenge then, good for you.

I have explored and bumped my way around and across the Exumas and Abacos and Turks n Caicos with 22inch and 4' draughts, shallow is definitely a whole lot more more fun!

Why not read the Bahamas cruising guides and FAQs on the American sailing web for a fuller picture?

Whichever boat, lovely trip, best of luck
 
tri39 said:
A swing keeler has to be right for the Bahamas (low seas in Spanish). I'm interested in your plans since I fancy something similar myself. Trust you're organising a US visa to go with your centreboard (and holding tank?!).
Click to expand...

Eeek I'd forgotten about holding tanks, not my favourite subject to say the very, very least.

I taking six month sabbatical so I'm planning on doing the ARC with mates and then spending three months with my wife slowly heading up the Islands to Florida where I have family. I'd be following this with couple of winter seasons around the Keys / Cuba / Bahamas and then bringing the boat home to the UK. Any info on cruising Cuba would be very welcome.
 
>Cuba is not a problem with a UK flagged vessel and UK passport holders aboard. However an intermediate stop at Mexico or the Bahamas is wise if going to the USA.

My understanding is that if you ask immigration not to stamp your passport they agree.
 
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