Max draft for Med cruising. Need help

[rays]

Thanks to all for contributions to our search for the perfect boat to sail to the Med and liveaboard. The issue of maximum sensible draft has now reared its' ugly head! A couple of boats we have seen and would like to offer on have fin keels with draft of 1.9 m. Is this too deep for the Med? Most of our sailing has been in Greece and you wouldn't want it any deeper.
Any opinions out there from those that have "been there and done it?"

 

[charles_reed]

Personally

I've never found my 1.93m draft a problem.

However with a lifting keel it was easier to get into my berth in Darsena Traiano in Fiumicino than it would have been if I'd had to plough through the soft mud as the others had to.

 

[aph]

We have been all round the Med with 1.8 metre draft. No problem. No knowledge of the french canals, but I believe 1.8 is maximum.

 

[charles_reed]

Closer to 1.4m

if you're thinking of using Canal du Midi, and a max airdraft of 3.4m

 

[tcm]

draft is no issue in the med - for the most part it is far deeper than uk waters. The bigger issue is the length of chain/rode needed for anchoring.

In fact, i spose with anchorages being financially a *far* more attractive option in med, i suppose some thought shd be given to a multihull - much more stable overnight?...

 

[Silverado]

There is no doubt that a shallow drafted vessel can get you cheap/free berthing in small Med fishery harbours but people like the French and the Italians don't really want you there. However if you are only staying one night and arrive a little late you can get away with it. These harbours are usually more interesting and closer to the centre of towns and villages.

Another advantage can be a berth which nobody else can take when shelter from strong winds is highly desireable. When a strong mistral blows up everybody runs for shelter and it can be difficult to get a harbour space your shallow drafted boat could be very useful in grabbing a berth which others can't take IF you are not too long for it.

Our boat has a 2.05m draft and we can get into most berths which can take boats our length and beam. When you call a marina for a berth they rarely ask your draft, just your LOA and beam.

A deeper drafted boat will also usually have its centre of gravity lower and consequently a lower AVS which means in layman's language that you boat will be more stable and harder to put "on its ear" under sail.

Best of luck with your choice. 1.90m would be very unexceptional.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Taking the whole of Greek waters I've cruised, about 1 in 30 small harbours were too shallow for my 2.1m draft, and anyway, those were usually full with small vessels. And that draft was very useful for windward sailing in the Cyclades.

In some larger harbours/villages, there may be part of the harbour denied due to shallows. But such parts are usually well filled, again, by smaller vessels. All harbour/port/quayside new dredging is to 3m.

There is one notorious patch of 1.7m (uncharted) in the entrance to Vassiliki harbour, Levkas. This provides geat entertainment . . .

No, 2.1m was fine, with no significant denial of use throughout the Med I've cruised (S Spain, Balearics, Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, Greece, Turkey)

 

[catmandoo]

I prefer Draught to botted so I would go for 2 litres