Hi All,
Our 1994 Mk 1.5 has the standard fin keel, which measures 5'10" according to my manual. We are in SF Bay, so no worries there. I grew up sailing the Chesapeake, and may want to return there some day.
Is anyone sailing on the Chesapeake with the standard 5'10 draft?
Is it an issue, or if you had to do it again, would you get the shoal draft model with the wing keel?
Joe Bousquin
SV Sylbo
Hull 1337
1994 Mk 1.5, M35 AC
SF Bay
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Joe Bousquin, San Francisco Bay
Sausalito Yacht Harbor
SV "Sylbo"
1994 Catalina 36 Mk 1.5, hull number 1337
M35A(C)
Hi Joe,
We are in our 8th season of sailing the upper and middle bay. Our boat does have the shoal keel but I always assume 6 foot draft, just for peace of mind. Lots of deep water sailing on the Chesapeake, but if you do wander out of the well marked channels even a shoal keel will find the muddy bottom. I would not think your 5'10" would be a show stopper.
But I'll let other MK sailors have the final word.
Bill & Barb
s/v Northern Lights
2002 Catalina 36 MKII #2086
Rock Hall, MD
Northern Chesapeake
I sail out of the lower bay and am glad I have the wing keel. That said, you don't need to change boats to sail here. Sure, you need to watch the channels more closely, but open bayvsailong won't be an issue. If you were buying a new boat with plans to primarily sail the bay I would recommend the shallower keel, but I would not go through the hassle of changing boats over the difference in depth now.
JEB
We sail out of Annapolis on our 1985 C36 with tall rig and fin keel. No problems so far. Things do get a bit skinny in the creeks but we haven't felt that our sailing is limited by our draft. Also, note that Fleet 3 is quite active and will welcome you when you return!
Paul Handly
SV Discovery
1986 MKI #440