Most locations near shore are barnacle covered rock so beaching isn't an option. Most beaches are rocky gravel with a big slope.
Most shallow anchorages have very sticky mud, deep mud, where you can't walk to shore if you dry out.
Most anchorages finding something shallow is more of a challenge than finding depth. It can be 30 to 50 ft deep 50 ft from shore (and sometimes even closer to shore).
For me there are two reasons, one is that a shallow draft boat is much easier to launch and recover at the boatramp, the other being that my local harbour is a mass of sandbanks so shoal draft is helpful there, plus I sail on lakes a lot and being able to just pull up to a beach and step ashore is really nice.
I live aboard my boat in the Abaco islands during the winter season and can atest to the fact that life is far easier with shallow draft! I see folks struggle with 6ft keels. 4 or less is much more doable. Sub 3ft and it’s an entirely new world. Beachable would be a true game changer although hard on a live aboard boat..
I’ve gone from 6’4” to 4’ to less than 2’ now with the board up. I couldn’t go back. I can enter a packed anchorage or mooring field (Cuttyhunk comes to mind) and sail up and drop the hook where angels fear to tread. I may be the fool rushing in but I’m confident on finding a cozy spot with good protection.
Sailing inland lakes in Florida, the bad joke is that if you fall out of the boat you can always walk home. If the gator’s asleep, anyway. Shallow draft is a big deal here, for the most part.
I like to sail near shore so I can see what I am passing - and poke into the little nooks and cranny's. So shallow draft is nice from a worry standpoint. And with shallow draft I can anchor or tie shore to shore in places others can't use. I agree with Dave - PNW beaches can be a challenge but they can be managed - go to shore, hop off, let the boat drift back out on an anchor buddy or similar "lunch hook", go explore or walk the dog.
The saltwater cove, where I moor my CLC Peeler Skiff, has a sand, shell, and gravel bar across most of its entrance. At low tide that can be problematic. Worst case, I can tip the motor up and row or wade.
A flat-bottomed skiff is the ideal boat for the location and with plenty of enclosed flotation and a very stable hull the Peeler Skiff makes the whole Bay accessible.
I sail/camp Slocan Lake in South Eastern BC. Anchoring is impossible in this deep, steeply shored mountain lake. My boat has an eight inch draft and sits well with the transom on the sand.
In deep water my daggerboard draws 7’6” which is essential for windward ability but fully retracted with a lifted rudder, the hull draws 2’ which is excellent for beaching or drying out
Mostly for trailerability/maintenance. Most of the waters I sail (PacNW) are deep. But it is nice to be able to creep into the shallows....especially with a 10'+ tidal range!!
I sold off my SeaSprite 23 for a Montgomery 17 for the smaller boats lessor draft. Now, I am looking to replace my Monty with something without the stub keel the M17 has. Considering how shallow the back bays of NJ and the Delaware Bay can be, I need a boat that is both seaworthy and shallow draft.
Boat lift will not accept keel more than 8" below bottom of boat 2.5ft out from center. Much easier to launch a fully retracting center board from trailer. Kick up cb and rudder needed for shallows around Albemarle Sound. How do I get ashore if boat is not beachable? A dinghy makes zero sense behind a 19ft trailerable. So I have a Mariner. Beachable 10" draft.
Sail the PNW so depth is rarely an issue.
Most locations near shore are barnacle covered rock so beaching isn't an option. Most beaches are rocky gravel with a big slope.
Most shallow anchorages have very sticky mud, deep mud, where you can't walk to shore if you dry out.
Most anchorages finding something shallow is more of a challenge than finding depth. It can be 30 to 50 ft deep 50 ft from shore (and sometimes even closer to shore).
For me there are two reasons, one is that a shallow draft boat is much easier to launch and recover at the boatramp, the other being that my local harbour is a mass of sandbanks so shoal draft is helpful there, plus I sail on lakes a lot and being able to just pull up to a beach and step ashore is really nice.
I live aboard my boat in the Abaco islands during the winter season and can atest to the fact that life is far easier with shallow draft! I see folks struggle with 6ft keels. 4 or less is much more doable. Sub 3ft and it’s an entirely new world. Beachable would be a true game changer although hard on a live aboard boat..
I’ve gone from 6’4” to 4’ to less than 2’ now with the board up. I couldn’t go back. I can enter a packed anchorage or mooring field (Cuttyhunk comes to mind) and sail up and drop the hook where angels fear to tread. I may be the fool rushing in but I’m confident on finding a cozy spot with good protection.
Beachable is at the top of the list. If I can't sneak into little gunk holes where the big boats can't go, I might as well have a big boat.
Sailing inland lakes in Florida, the bad joke is that if you fall out of the boat you can always walk home. If the gator’s asleep, anyway. Shallow draft is a big deal here, for the most part.
I like to sail near shore so I can see what I am passing - and poke into the little nooks and cranny's. So shallow draft is nice from a worry standpoint. And with shallow draft I can anchor or tie shore to shore in places others can't use. I agree with Dave - PNW beaches can be a challenge but they can be managed - go to shore, hop off, let the boat drift back out on an anchor buddy or similar "lunch hook", go explore or walk the dog.
From experience trailer sailing on three coasts, Must be Beach-able: 12 inches at skeg max. 3 inches preferred…
The saltwater cove, where I moor my CLC Peeler Skiff, has a sand, shell, and gravel bar across most of its entrance. At low tide that can be problematic. Worst case, I can tip the motor up and row or wade.
A flat-bottomed skiff is the ideal boat for the location and with plenty of enclosed flotation and a very stable hull the Peeler Skiff makes the whole Bay accessible.
She's beachable too.
I sail/camp Slocan Lake in South Eastern BC. Anchoring is impossible in this deep, steeply shored mountain lake. My boat has an eight inch draft and sits well with the transom on the sand.
I sail Tampa Bay and surrounding area. Beachable is the only way here with small boats.
Yes to shallow draft, a kick-up rudder and centerboard or leeboards. A rudder design that won’t catch eelgrass is nice too.
In deep water my daggerboard draws 7’6” which is essential for windward ability but fully retracted with a lifted rudder, the hull draws 2’ which is excellent for beaching or drying out
Mostly for trailerability/maintenance. Most of the waters I sail (PacNW) are deep. But it is nice to be able to creep into the shallows....especially with a 10'+ tidal range!!
I sold off my SeaSprite 23 for a Montgomery 17 for the smaller boats lessor draft. Now, I am looking to replace my Monty with something without the stub keel the M17 has. Considering how shallow the back bays of NJ and the Delaware Bay can be, I need a boat that is both seaworthy and shallow draft.
Boat lift will not accept keel more than 8" below bottom of boat 2.5ft out from center. Much easier to launch a fully retracting center board from trailer. Kick up cb and rudder needed for shallows around Albemarle Sound. How do I get ashore if boat is not beachable? A dinghy makes zero sense behind a 19ft trailerable. So I have a Mariner. Beachable 10" draft.