5' 3' draft problems?

[TheJudge]

I am curious as to whether anyone has any practical experience with the limitations of the 5' 3" draft on a 36 ET. Naturally I understand that one is limited as too the places you can go but I was wondering if anyone had traveled the Great Loop or sections thereof and had problems as compared to vessels of a more normal 3' draft.

[Mariner]

We have the single. Up here, a 5' draft is not a problem at all. In fact, that's considered a low draft vessel by my standards.

[TheJudge]

I am not familiar with boating on the west coast but in Forida and on the Great Loop there are many places where I believe this could be problematic.

[Veebyes2]

Best info would be on one of the Loop forums but many of those folks are useing 40' plus trawlers so I doubt if 5' draft is much of an issue.

Air draft will be something to check on too on some of the waterways. I was looking at the Trent Severn in Ontario. Think the limit there was about 17'.

[Mariner]

17' should not be a problem. Might have to drop the radar mast when you go under, but that's about it. I'm not sure what the air draft is, but it's definitely less than 17' with the mast down. Fortunately, the mast is quick and easy to drop.

[TheJudge]

Well unfortunately the boat we are buying has clearance problems both top and bottom. In addition to the 5' 3" draft there is a fiberglass hardtop over the flybridge with the radar on top of that. There is no factory radar mast on this one though the mounting plate is there. My best guess at air clearance is 17-18 feet.

[jleonard]

17 to 18 feet air draft is not a problem.
5 plus water draft will limit you but doable.