I am just getting used to the 2007 320 sundancer I just bought. My wife would like to anchor close to shore as we can to enjoy part of the day. The draft on this boat is listed at 33 inches and it is an inboard with the drive shafts and props coming out the bottom of the boat (forgot the term). Are the props the lowest point on the boat or are the props not as low as the center bow of the boat if I drifted a little too shallow. Not looking to take any chances but have never seen it out of the water so wanted to ask. thank you
draft question
- Thread starter tugger
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330DA
Active Member
- Oct 12, 2006
- 500
- Boat Info
- 2000 310 Sundancer, Brig 330 RIB
- Engines
- 350 Horizons, V-Drives
The shafts and props will be lower than the keel. The rudders will be lower than the prop blades.
cfd95
Active Member
Props and rudders pretty much the lowest part of boat.
I would avoid shallow water, bottoming out the props and rudders can be costly$$$$$
I would avoid shallow water, bottoming out the props and rudders can be costly$$$$$
sbw1
Well-Known Member
- Oct 10, 2006
- 8,189
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- This is listed in my signature
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- This is listed in my signature
You need to be aware of what wakes can do as well. You may draw 33" but a 2-3 foot wake can put you on the bottom in a hurry. We try to always have 4-5 feet of water under our draft.
ROTYDE
New Member
- Apr 28, 2017
- 28
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- SeaRay 330 Sundancer
- Engines
- Twin 454's V Drives
Is the draft from the keel or the bottom of rudders?
techmitch
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- May 1, 2008
- 8,427
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- 1999 270 DA
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- Twin 4.3s W/Alpa I Gen II's
From the water line to the bottom of the rudder's or props, what ever is the lowest.
Ericinmich
Active Member
- Dec 12, 2021
- 215
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- 48 Sundancer, 2007... formally PapaG's
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- Cummins
From your owners manual... (available online at searay.com). It looks like the 33" would be to keep, the props would be slightly lower than that. But you shouldn't be splitting inches on your draft.
Also, if you don't want to haul a dingy, inflatable SUPs are actually a decent solution, two can kneel on them.
Also, if you don't want to haul a dingy, inflatable SUPs are actually a decent solution, two can kneel on them.
Skybolt
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- Nov 11, 2014
- 6,494
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- Reel Nauti
460 EC
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- Detroit 6v92TA
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Alison Gears
Westerbeke
12.5kw Genset
@ROTYDE Unless your in a lake, know your tides where you anchor and where the tide level is at when you anchor.
But as mentioned, I wouldn't anchor in less then 4' under my boat at low tide. A dinghy is the best part of boating and can lead to some really fun "adventures".
But as mentioned, I wouldn't anchor in less then 4' under my boat at low tide. A dinghy is the best part of boating and can lead to some really fun "adventures".
Beyond the consideration of dragging your running gear, and depending where you boat, going too shallow can also kick up a lot of mud or sand. That's not particularly healthy for your cooling system.
My rule of thumb is to figure out what the water depth will be at the next low tide, and add 2 feet + my draft. That is the minimum depth at which I would transit or anchor. Put another way, I always try to keep at least two feet between my running gear and the bottom.
My rule of thumb is to figure out what the water depth will be at the next low tide, and add 2 feet + my draft. That is the minimum depth at which I would transit or anchor. Put another way, I always try to keep at least two feet between my running gear and the bottom.
