Disadvantages of short keel ?

[Twister_Ken]

Its not rational to say " if you need the shoal draft it is not the end of the world and the loses can be made up for with other tweaks" because any tweeks applied to a shallow draft boat can be applied to a deep draft one. The reality is that you lose to windward through more leeway in a shallow draft boat though you lose less the further you get off the wind and might even gain a little downwind through less drag.

I found in racing that the difference is between 5% and 10% in time between shallow and deep depending on design.

But also bear in mind that a shallow keeled boat can do more tide dodging by getting closer inshore.

 

[Mrnotming]

That is interesting as the books I bought stated 1200 min depth. That was also a year of severe drought & the authorities stated 1200 as max safe draft ( according to internet at the time). however a boat owner I contacted said he had no problem at all with just over 1200 except his bilge keels hit the canal sides making it difficult to get ashor a couple of times.
I will follow it up as it could be fun just doing the canal & back. Although I might ask if it is actually worth it or is it all commercial?

Think I met two barges in all!

 

[Chris_Robb]

Hi Daydream Believer,
post no.7.The Marne route from le Havre obliged in 2003 May, our vessel draws 1.8M and fresh water draught was much the same as it was in the sea.No problems were encountered, save for needing a long plank to go ashore if not near a lock!Nominal depth is 2M on that route as designed.There is some soft mud on some stretches of the Canal Lateral a Garonne, but the boat just cuts France in two for a while.Grehan of this parish has all the gen as do VNF.fr

Yes - we did that in 2010 - 1.8 draft - no problems at all.