Mistroma
Well-known member
I used to much prefer manoeuvring in very shallow water, much easier to control drift. Trick is to keep somone in control of keel at all times. We'd approach a shallow harbour and SWMBO would lift the keel approx. 4" to prevent it lifting and banging back down. We raise it progressively before we got anywhere close to touching the bottom. I controlled the rudder position (S95) and kept it well above the bottom of the keel. This gives maximum control but I always preferred very shallow water kept with mud or sandy bottom. Because we'd just let the keel drag along the bottom. SWMBO would raise the keel if we slowed too much and we could adjust speed with throttle and keel drag. Simple to stop completely and pivot 90 degrees using propwash (or bow thruster on newer models). Once we were facing in the correct direction SWMBO would raise the keel and off we'd go.
I remember that we got so laid back that we sometimes left fenders and line until we'd stopped alongside a pontoon. Fenders out handbrake off and let the wind push us in.
Don't even think of trying with any wind and the keel fully up, but really easy when you let the keel track along through the mud. S95 only drew 1'10"
I have numerous stories of other boats following us, harbour masters trying to stop us entering due to lack of water, saving 20nm detour by taking the shallow route. I still miss a lift keel and will get another Southerly in a few years.
I remember that we got so laid back that we sometimes left fenders and line until we'd stopped alongside a pontoon. Fenders out handbrake off and let the wind push us in.
Don't even think of trying with any wind and the keel fully up, but really easy when you let the keel track along through the mud. S95 only drew 1'10"
I have numerous stories of other boats following us, harbour masters trying to stop us entering due to lack of water, saving 20nm detour by taking the shallow route. I still miss a lift keel and will get another Southerly in a few years.
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