shallow draft sailboats

The Best Shallow Draft Liveaboard Sailboat 2024

Looking for the best shallow draft liveaboard sailboat.

If you’re looking for the best shallow draft liveaboard sailboat then look no further.

After four years of living aboard our super shallow draft monohull, we are shallow draft boat connoisseurs and we can’t imagine being happy in anything other than a shallow keeled boat.

There are many different types of sailboats, and the best shallow draft liveaboard sailboat may not be the same for everyone. Some factors you might want to consider when choosing a sailboat include size, type of sailing, comfort, and cost.

One thing is fir sure, when choosing a vessel you will want to take into account the draft of a boat to make sure you can access the waterways you intend on cruising.

In this post, we will take a look at some of the best shallow keel liveaboard sailboats on the market today. So if you are in the market for a new sailboat, keep reading!

Table of Contents

The best large shallow draft sailboats.

• The best small shallow keel sailboats

Shallow water sailing

The best spot in the anchorage, less chance of grounding, extra moving parts.

• How To Find The Perfect Liveaboard Sailboat For You

We’ve got some great suggestions for shallow draft liveaboard sailboats that are 38ft or above. Boats of this size are usually more practical for ocean crossings and have enough living space for a couple who expect to have guests regularly, or for a family.

#1 Kadey Krogen 38

The Kadey Krogen 38 is one of the best large shallow draft sailboats on the market today, offering plenty of space and comfort for all your sailing adventures (and we’re not just saying that because we live on one!)

With a maximum draft of just 3 feet, it can easily go where other boats cannot, making it perfect for exploring shallow waters. We have often entered a busy anchorage, snuck in shallow, and had all the room in the world.

The Kadey Krogen 38s are quite unique. All the ballast is in the tiny keel, and she has two centreboards that help performance. The large centreboard in the middle of the boat helps it point closer to the wind.

After a year of sailing without a functional centreboard we did find our upwind performance improved with the centreboard and tacking and heaving to was easier as well.

The after board helps with weather helm in heavy seas. It does make the steering handle a lot easier and is a great thing to have at your disposal, but we have also been in heavy seas and forgotten to lower it and the boat still tracked fine.

What we really love about this design is the flexibility. As there is no weight in the boards we aren’t worried about losing them, and therefore losing the keel. The keel is fully encapsulated and going nowhere!

As a liveaboard sailboat, the Kadey Krogen 38s are extremely roomy. They have a wide beam and really make the most of the space. In fact, you could almost say they were designed for liveaboard, as the space is that cleverly laid out.

The cockpit is spacious which is perfect for entertaining. We have regularly seated 8 people in the cockpit and it has never felt like a squeeze. The locker lids are large enough to sleep on and we regularly do in the summer months when it’s stuffy below.

Saying that, we have never felt unsafe in big seas as there is coving all the way around and plenty of handholds and clip-in points.

The interior is slightly different on each different boat, but they all have a separate shower in the head which is super handy, and the cabins have their own sinks. The owner’s bed is a full-sized double so you can use an off-the-shelf mattress, and there is storage for days.

One of the biggest drawbacks of this small keeled liveaboard sailboat is the compromise in steerage astern. She doesn’t do well with Med-mooring!

If you’re looking for a great shallow draft liveaboard sailboat that offers plenty of space and comfort, be sure to check out the Kadey Krogen 38.

Check it out on Sailboat Data

#2 Freedom Cat 40 Centreboard

If you’re looking for a great liveaboard sailboat with a shallow draft that offers plenty of space and comfort, be sure to check out the Freedom Cat 40 Centreboard. With a maximum draft of just 4 feet, this boat has no problem exploring the shallow waters of your favorite cruising grounds.

This boat sails well, especially on a reach, and is easy enough to handle as a couple or even a solo sailor.

Like the Kadey Krogen 38, this sailboat has a large cockpit but the Freedom 40 has a centre cockpit, which many prefer.

Another standout feature of the Freedom Cat 40 is its spacious and well-designed interior. This boat is a great size for a liveaboard couple, with a large double bed aft as well as a v-berth forward.

While it does have some drawbacks–like poor maneuverability in reverse – there’s no doubt that the Freedom Cat 40 Centreboard is one of the best shallow draft liveaboard sailboats on the market today.

So if you’re looking for comfort, space, and flexibility, be sure to check out this amazing liveaboard sailboat!

#3 C&C 40 Centreboard Version

If you’re looking for an amazing shallow draft sailboat to live on that offers plenty of space and comfort, then the C&C 40 Centreboard Version is definitely worth considering.

With a maximum draft of just over 4 feet, this boat has no problem exploring the shallow waters of your favorite cruising grounds.

To maintain the same stability as the deeper keel versions of this sailboat, the centerboard boat carries an additional 885 pounds of ballast, making her noticeably slower in light air.

In tests, she was shown to be about 4 seconds slower per mile than the normal keel version in about 8 knots of wind, but basically identical in speed with 15+ knots of wind. For most cruisers, this won’t be an issue, but if you’re planning on using this sailboat for racing too then you might opt for the standard keel instead.

Another standout feature of this liveaboard sailboat is its spacious interior, designed for long-term living aboard. This boat can easily accommodate a couple, with a large v-berth forward as well as plenty of storage space throughout the interior.

there’s no doubt that the C&C 40 Centreboard Version is an incredibly comfortable and practical boat to sail.

#4 Privilege 435 Catamaran

The Privilege 435 is built for performance and comfort, making it the perfect shallow keel liveaboard sailboat.

Most of these sailboats were built relatively recently, so while you might not be able to bag a bargain, you will find the latest navigation and safety equipment on board.

The fit and finish of these catamarans are excellent. You can expect high-quality materials and smart storage solutions. There are four separate cabins with their own heads, making it a great liveaboard sailboat for a family.

#5 Lagoon 40

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If you’re looking for a great shallow draft liveaboard sailboat that’s packed with top-of-the-line features, then the Lagoon 40 is definitely worth considering.

With a maximum draft of 1.35m, this boat offers plenty of space and comfort while being able to explore the shallow waters of your favorite cruising grounds.

One of the biggest benefits of this amazing sailboat is its spacious and well-designed interior. With plenty of room for a couple or even a solo sailor, you’ll love spending long days at sea aboard the Lagoon 40.

One of the biggest downsides of catamarans is usually their upwind performance, but the Lagoon 40 will keep her speed even at a 50-degree apparent wind angle.

So if you’re looking for comfort, space, and flexibility, be sure to check out this amazing liveaboard sailboat today!

#6 Prout Snowgoose 37

Prout catamarans have a great reputation among liveaboard sailors, and the Snowgoose is one of the most popular designs.

Prout no longer exists as a company, as it was bought by Broadblue in the 90s. Broadblue still makes catamarans today, and they have very similar features to the original Prouts, though obviously they are far fancier and have all the benefits of a more modern design!

The Snowgoose catamaran benefits from a shallow draft of 2.08ft, meaning you won’t have any trouble at all in shallow waters. It sails well and is a suitable bluewater sailboat, however, a low bridge deck clearance makes the boat slam in waves, both at anchor and underway.

The best small shallow draft sailboats to live on

As these are still liveaboard sailboats, we haven’t added any under 30ft. If you’re living aboard solo then 30ft is probably the smallest you will want to go before the sailing lifestyle starts to feel a bit too much like camping!

Here are our top picks for small small keel liveaboard sailboats.

#7 Columbia 31

If you’re looking for a compact, high-quality shallow keel sailboat that’s perfect for both recreational sailing and liveaboard cruising, then the Columbia 31 is definitely worth checking out.

With a maximum draft of just over 3 feet, this sailboat will be able to sneak into shallow anchorages with ease. It sails adequately and will be more than good enough for coastal cruising.

With its small size comes some definite compromises – while it may be great for traveling in sheltered waters and coastal areas, the Columbia 31 doesn’t have much in the way of speed or stability when going offshore.

That said, this little sailboat is incredibly well-built and carries all the hallmarks of quality craftsmanship. Its solid fiberglass hull and spacious interior for a boat of this size make the Columbia 31 a great option for both recreational and liveaboard sailing.

So whether you’re looking to sail in shallow water, explore coastal areas, or just spend some time living aboard, the Columbia 31 is definitely worth considering!

#8 Pearson 35

Pearson makes some great sailboats and is mostly well-regarded within the sailing community. The Pearson 35 is no exception and boasts the longest production run of any other Pearson model.

Boasting a shallow draft of just under 4 feet and a surprisingly spacious interior for a boat of this size, the Pearson 35 is an excellent small-sized liveaboard sailboat that won’t disappoint.

Due to its relatively simple construction, however, there are some definite downsides – while you’ll be able to find older models at great prices, they often have several issues that will need to be repaired before setting off on your next sailing adventure.

That said, if you’re looking for a dependable little sailboat that will allow you to explore shallow waters and coastal areas, the Pearson 35 is definitely worth considering.

#9 Gemini 105Mc (34ft)

The Gemini 105Mc is still in production in the US, which speaks to its popularity.

If you’re looking for a small keel sailboat on the smaller side, that still has plenty of space for living aboard, then this might be the perfect compromise. Many of these small catamarans have completed ocean passages so you won’t be limited on cruising grounds.

It has two double cabins, good headroom throughout, and nice finishes too.

A significant negative to this boat is the bridge deck clearance which isn’t amazing so you may experience some slamming. But that aside, this is a great small draft sailboat for anyone wanting to live aboard.

#10 Prout Event 34

These multihulls are quite hard to find, but if you like the Snowgoose but are on a tighter budget then they might be just what you’re looking for. These shallow draft catamarans share lots of features with the popular Snowgoose designs, just on a smaller scale.

There are three cabins, one head, a salon, and a galley, only they are rather squeezed in compared to the larger model.

The Prout Event 34 sails well and has crossed oceans, though it is also known for its slamming so if this is something that bothers you then you might want to think again before buying this liveaboard sailboat.

These shallow draft catamarans have an excellent reputation among cruisers because of their solid build and use of decent materials.

The boat has three cabins, a galley, saloon, and a head, so it’s perfect for slightly larger crews, though it’s obviously on the smaller side compared to some of the large shallow draft liveaboard boats on this list.

This catamaran sails well and people have crossed oceans in them, though they are probably better suited to coastal cruising

The bridge deck clearance is good on this catamaran so you shouldn’t experience too much slamming.

Why buy a narrow keel sailboat to live on?

There are many reasons why someone might choose to buy a sailboat with a small draft as a liveaboard.

Perhaps you don’t want the hassle of anchoring in deep water or dealing with the challenges that come with mooring, or maybe you simply enjoy being able to explore shallow coastal areas where other boats can’t go.

We’ll explore some of the reasons in more depth below.

Shallow water sailing refers to cruising in coastal areas where other boats cannot go.

The shallow draft of a sailboat means that you can easily explore coves, anchorages, and bays off the beaten track. Even if it’s just for an afternoon, there is something really special about being able to truly get away from it all by sailing away from the crowds in a secluded cove or anchorage.

One of the great things about living aboard a sailboat is that you have the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want. You can easily move on if you find somewhere that better suits your needs, or stay put and enjoy all the great amenities at your favorite anchorage.

While many people love big marinas with all their facilities and good ground tackle, many others prefer the peace and quiet of a secluded anchorage. If you’re one of those people who simply love finding the best spot in an anchorage then living aboard a shallow draft sailboat is perfect for you.

You will be able to sneak into bays that no one else can reach, or anchor in shallow waters of busier anchorages when there is seemingly no space.

On a sailboat with a lifting centreboard you have lowered odds of damaging your boat.

In fact, we have even heard of experienced sailors using their centreboard as a worst-case depth sounder, allowing you to risk sneaking into unchartered shallow waters without any significant risk of damaging your boat.

If you hit rock bottom (literally) then at best your centreboard will be knocked higher into its slot, and at worst you might damage the centreboard a little, but either way, your keel will remain unharmed!

The disadvantages of a shallow draft liveaboard sailboat

As always, alongside the advantages of shallow draft sailboats are some disadvantages to make you question your decision.

For us, after four years of living aboard, we would say the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, but it is so depending on personal opinion and taste.

Here are the main disadvantages of shallow keel liveaboard sailboats.

One reason that many people choose not to live aboard a sailboat with a small draft is the reduced stability.

Compared to a deeper draft boat, your centre of gravity is lower on a shallow draft sailboat which can be worrying when you are in open water, particularly if there are swells or high winds.

On our Kadey Krogen 38 we haven’t found this to be a problem. She handles brilliantly in big seas and we have always felt very safe and stable. In swelly anchorages, she doesn’t fair so well and is usually one of the more rolly boats in the anchorages (though interestingly quite often not the worst!)

Another disadvantage of a shallow draft sailboat is that they are not always easy to steer, especially when going astern.

Our sailboats prop walk is quite impressive! Getting into mooring slips astern is very tricky indeed. This is a problem on a lot of deep, full-keeled sailboats so we aren’t alone in our troubles! One way around this is to just enter mooring slips forward and drop an anchor astern.

A sailboat with a centreboard is not as simple to maintain as one without.

In the four years that we’ve owned our boat, we have replaced both her swing keel bearing and the cable that connects it to the winch on deck. For some people, this might be more than they are willing or able to deal with, but for us, it has been simple to do and is part of the reason we love our boat.

How To Find The Perfect Liveaboard Sailboat With A Shallow Draft

If you’re looking to buy a shallow keel sailboat then you’ll need to take a few things into consideration.

Budget is key for most people when buying a boat to live in. You will need to compromise between size, age of the boat, and budget. Smaller, older monohulls tend to be cheaper than larger, newer multihulls.

One of the most convenient ways to decide where to search for sailboats is to look in the location you will be cruising in. This is easy enough if your cruising grounds are popular and large, like in Europe or the USA.

You will find it much harder to find the right boat for you if you’re only prepared to buy in a very specific place or on cruising grounds that are tricky to reach, like remote islands. That being said, if you can find the right boat for you in one of these places then you are more likely to get a great deal.

Size of Sailboat

As mentioned earlier, the bigger the boat the more you are likely to pay. That being said, if you’re looking for a liveaboard sailboat then the last thing you want to do is buy a boat that is far too small to meet your requirements.

Consider how many people will be living aboard full time, or almost full time. For a couple, a 38ft boat is usually a comfortable size, though there are couples living on 34-36ft boats (and they’re still together!)

For a family, or if you plan on having crew on for longer periods of time, you might consider getting a larger monohull or a catamaran so that everyone can have their own private space on board.

Larger boats tend to be more comfortable at sea too, so make sure you go for something a little bigger if you plan on crossing oceans.

Conclusion: The Best Shallow Draft Liveaboard Sailboats

Ultimately, finding the perfect boat will depend on what is important to you and what kind of experience you want to have while living on board.

The best shallow keel liveaboard sailboat is one that meets all of your needs and requirements. Whether you are looking for something large or small, budget-friendly or luxurious, there is sure to be a boat out there that will fit the bill.

So do your research, talk to other boaters in your area, and make sure you find the perfect vessel for your unique needs. Happy hunting!

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SHALLOW-DRAFT CRUISERS

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With remarkable draft reductions from 3.50m/11’6” to 1.79m/5’10”, Oyster shallow-draft models provide access to safe anchorages, marinas and river inlets at a moment’s notice.

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For those who wish to explore the places other yachts simply cannot reach, Oyster’s shallow-draft models open up a world of shallow cruising grounds and secluded bays, from the Exumas to the Tuamotu Atolls.

Shallow-draft keels are optional on four Oyster models and available in two formats. The Oyster 495 features a fixed shoal keel and the 595CB, 745CB and 885CB feature a lifting centreboard keel. All offer the advantages of shallow-draft cruising.

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• Plan time to explore - schedules and deadlines make it more difficult to find that perfect place - and when you do you might have no time left to enjoy it. We recommend leaving plenty of extra time in your cruising plan to allow you to take advantage of opportunities. We often make big jumps between destinations that we would like to spend more time at. This year we planned extra time in the British Virgin Islands, a favourite destination, then jumped directly to the Turks & Caicos and then the Bahamas where we planned a long cruise leaving time to explore more leisurely.
• Get off the main route - don't always just follow the purple line marked on the chart. Increasingly we see sailors running from waypoint to waypoint on a standard cruise agenda. This may work well for you if you don't have a plan ready yet. For instance, the traditional thorny path route to the Caribbean gets you through the standard Bahamian destinations pretty quickly, so you could plan more time on the return trip to poke into places you just got a taste of on the way down.
• Ask like-minded cruising sailors for recommendations. On the dock or in that characterful sailors' bar (eg. Peter's Cafe Sport in the Azores, Chat-n-Chill in the Bahamas, Yacht Marine in Marmaris Turkey) you can ask sailors coming the other way what their favourite stops were. But also check out how they cruise to see if what they like would appeal to you. Many of our best cruises started over a drink or dinner with fellow voyagers.
• Explore in the dinghy. Even inside an anchorage you can find that ideal spot. When you get to a new place you can see how things look from the other side of the bay. You might find that perfect hidey-hole for an extended stay. We have a number of this spots in various places where we wiggle in to a sweet anchorage and spend a few days just soaking in the ambience! We sometimes carry a portable "dinghy depth sounder" in the form of a leadline (see below) to check if there is enough depth to bring in the mothership.
• Check all resources - cruising guides, chart kits etc. In the Bahamas we see many people using just one chart kit. We spoke with more than few cruisers who complained the place was too crowded - but they were all on the same route! We have the Explorer Charts , plus 5 different cruising guides ( Yachtsman's guide , Steve Pavlidis Guides , Abacos Guide ) Navionics Platinum Charts (with satellite overlay) plus we use Google Earth to explore other potential options. In areas like the Bahamas many potential interesting anchorages are not shown just because there are too many options. Check out virtually the entire western side of the Exuma islands chain. There are many interesting spots to anchor.

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How to Read the Colour of the Water

Shallow Water Piloting

• Do not rely exclusively on waypoints . Cruising Guides have waypoints and they are useful but these are not designed to be used alone. Keep a lookout as well even when running point to point. For new places or routes we haven’t tried, Sheryl and I will check both our charts plus cruising guides for additional information when planning a trip.

• Slow down or stop when unsure .

• Practice with your depth sounder . Judge the depth ahead (for example, picking a shallower sandy patch) and confirm your estimation as you pass over this patch. Explore ahead in the dinghy and confirm depths with a lead-line.
• Try out a Lead-Line . On our first trip to the Bahamas in 1989 friends gave us a lead-line neatly designed for our boat (which drew 6 feet). It was a 20 foot piece of thin cord and had ribbons tied every 2 feet with a fishing sinker on the end. The ribbons at 2,4 & 6 feet were red indicating depths we couldn't go. 8,10 & 12 were yellow and 14,16 & 18 indicated we could easily anchor here. Great for scouting in the dinghy or for checking depth off the stern...
• Be careful in cloudy conditions . The small trade-wind clouds common to the (otherwise) perfect sailing day in the Bahamas can cast a shadow on the water that look just like a black reef patch. The clue is to carefully watch the bearing - if the bearing changes then it’s a cloud. If you are unsure, head around it. When you get closer it’s easier to see if it’s really a reef. Not all clouds pose a problem. Soft clouds or on a high-cloud dull day it is still relatively easy to judge water colour.

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Best Flats Boats for Fishing

• By SWS Staff
• Updated: June 22, 2022

If you intend to stalk bonefish, redfish, permit, snook, striped bass, tarpon or any other inshore game fish on the flats, salt marshes, or other shallow water areas, flats boats and flats skiffs — designed precisely for that style of saltwater angling — offer the greatest advantages to successfully sneak up on your favorite target species, including the shallow draft necessary to venture onto skinny water.

Naturally most of us start our boat search with trying to find the best flats boat for the money, but maybe your budget is a bit higher than most and you can look beyond the category of an affordable flats boat. If that’s the case, you’ll find plenty of those options here as well. Smaller flats skiffs are included too.

To help you find the one that best suits your specific needs and budget, the Salt Water Sportsman staff has compiled and updated a guide to the best flats boats for sale today, comprising timeless classics and the latest designs from numerous manufacturers. Scroll down to check out our list of top 16- to 19-foot options (in no particular order) for serious shallow water fishing.

The Complete List of Flats Boats

Maverick 17 hpx-v ii, yellowfin 17ce, hewes redfisher 18, east cape evo, floyd skiff 10 weight, dolphin 17 superskiff pro, action craft 1820 ace flatsmaster, bonefish bohemian 17, dragonfly emerger, maverick mirage 18 hpx-v, beavertail 17 strike, ankona advent, islamorada morada 18, hewes redfisher 16, east cape fury, spyder fx17 flicker, hell’s bay eldora, action craft 1720 gen3 flyfisher, sterling 180, mitzi 17 tournament, maverick 17 hpx-s, hell’s bay professional, chittum islamorada 18 legacy, action craft 19 ace flatsmaster, bay craft bone skiff 162, yellowfin 17 cc, east cape vantage, dolphin 18 back country pro, beavertail 18 air, dragonfly grand slam 17, hell’s bay biscayne, sterling tr7, spyder fx19 vapor, mako 18 lts, skull island 16, bluewater 180 pro, dragonfly classic 17, hell’s bay marquesa, action craft 1600 flatspro.

With its surprising open-water running capability, and quiet and precise poling proficiency, the Maverick 17 HPX-V II has been the bench mark for top-notch technical poling skiffs since its introduction. This skiff is designed for anglers who want top performance in the toughest and most technically challenging poling situations. This next generation of the 17 HPX-V now offers more easy-to-access dry storage, plus a lighter hull, better balanced to match with smaller outboards like a Yamaha F70.

maverickboats.com

Yellowfin has a new and improved version of its 17 Skiff, the 17 CE (Carbon Elite), features the same simple, but functional and ergonomically designed deck layout as the original 17 Skiff, but with a new hull design and cutting-edge construction techniques and materials. It incorporates a deeper deadrise and sharper entry for long runs across choppy water, new molded-in spray rails, a single step in the boat’s running surface for greater speed and efficiency.

yellowfin.com

This versatile, mid-sized skiff has been a prime choice of many backcountry anglers for decades. Recently redesigned, the Redfisher 18 now has a dedicated anchor locker, a new console that accommodates flush-mounted electronic displays up to 12 inches, and a clever cushion setup. The boat is now built using vacuum infusion (VARIS) for an even lighter, faster and stronger hull that is well balanced with either a 115 or 150 hp outboard. An optional backrest/step integrated into the poling tower provide added comfort and safety.

Xplor Boatworks’ newest skiff, the X7, combines a functional design topside and a smooth- and dry-running hull with performance pad and 7-degree deadrise at the transom. The X7 features numerous storage and livewell options, and boasts the newest design in integrated spray rails that channel water down and away from the boat while underway.

xplorboatworks.com

According to the folks at East Cape Skiffs, this flats boat was built to dominate South Florida’s flats fishing scene, much of which centers around the wide-open oceanside shallows of Biscayne Bay and the Keys, where stiff winds and a moderate chop are commonplace. Built to take sizeable waves while still providing a soft, comfortable ride, with its massive built-in spray rails keeping spray to an absolute minimum, the EVO is also fast, extremely maneuverable, and it floats and poles shallow enough to chase tailers pushing up the skinniest of waters. Dry storage is extensive, and the massive round livewell, conveniently located in the middle of the aft deck, enables anglers to carry a substantial supply of baitfish for live-baiting mangrove shorelines or inlets and passes. As with all East Cape Skiff models, every EVO is a custom build, and the layout may include anything from a side console to a tower with elevated helm, to the classic center console with bench-style seating or a removable leaning post.

eastcapeskiffs.com

A collaboration between industry legend Chris Morejohn and Brian Floyd, the 10 Weight from Floyd Skiff Company reflects an original technical poling skiff design that will travers open water with ease and comfort, draft just 7 inches, and pole silently when stalking prey on the flats. It features a center console with seat, 30-gallon livewell, hydraulic steering, electric trim tabs, under-gunwale rod racks, and more.

floydskiff.com

The hull, inner liner and deck are all made completely of composite materials and fused together for maximum strength and durability. The hull shape is a modified version of the high-performance deep-V from the 16-foot Super Skiff Pro, making the 17 a quick and nimble technical poling skiff that slices through a 2-foot chop and still poles in 8 inches of water. The oversize forward deck makes a perfect casting platform, while the in-floor cast-net and dry-storage compartments accommodate enough gear for 4 anglers. Fore- and aft-facing under-gunwale rod racks hold up to 10 rods. And the ergonomically designed helm seat behind the center console folds down to extend the aft deck for additional casting room. In addition, the 17 Superskiff Pro comes loaded with features like hydraulic steering, trim tabs, gas shocks on all hatches, a 32-gallon oval livewell with high-speed pick up and push-pole holders that increase comfort and make the boat a truly versatile fishing platform.

dolphinboats.com

Featuring a high-performance, modified deep-V hull design, the midsize Action Craft 1820 ACE FlatsMaster promises a smooth, dry ride. Built with state-of-the-art construction techniques, and boasting Action Craft’s Pocket Drive, it navigates the shallows — powered by either outboard or push pole — extremely well. Anglers looking for a full-featured, high-quality, shallow-draft boat for coastal fishing will appreciate the 1820′s self-draining cockpit, wide gunwales, and long list of standard features, as well as enough room for the family to spend a day on the water.

actioncraft.com

Built out of fiberglass, Kevlar and carbon fiber, with integrated structural foam coring and three-piece construction bonded together, the Bohemian from Bonefish Boatworks is light and strong. It sports a stepped V-pad hull that allows the skiff to plane quicker, run faster and ride comfortably without the need for trim tabs, while its submerged reverse chines eliminate unwanted spray. Features include a giant forward storage compartment, plus two large ones on the rear deck, 6 under-gunwale rod tubes, and innovative in-floor storage in the cockpit to stash wet items.

bonefishboats.com

The Emerger from Dragonfly Boatworks is designed to be a light skiff for one or two anglers that provides a smooth, comfortable ride, plus access to the skinniest water. Available in either tiller or center-console versions, this 16-foot flats boat features a unique bottom configuration that lets anglers venture easily and stealthily into the whisper zone. It draws just 5 inches, hence the name Emerger.

dragonflyboats.net

Maverick’s top selling skiff, the Mirage 18 HPX-V is a stable, easy-to-pole skiff that tracks well, is quick out of the hole, and responsive and nimble on the turns, and remains pretty dry even in windy weather. The popular model includes walk-around gunwales with rod racks underneath, a taller console to house sizable electronics, vertical rod racks, and a removable cooler that doubles as a forward console seat. Twin compartments provide ample aft storage and bookend a 30-gallon livewell with dual in-flow system and raw-water, high-speed pickup.

Beavertail considers this the Swiss Army Knife of its boat lineup. The builder claims it can take the rough oceanside conditions often encountered when targeting tarpon in Florida during the annual migration, and also run and pole easily on shallow, backcountry flats to stalk tailing redfish and bonefish. Stealth is a major virtue of the Strike, which Beavertail built to enable anglers to pole silently into position and cast to wary game fish with two to three anglers aboard. This third generation Beavertail was designed to deliver tons of storage and a truly dry ride, thanks to the huge flared bow inspired by Carolina sport fishing yachts. With a unique semi-tunnel hull, and rated for up to 90hp, the builder promises this boat will jump up and race across the skinniest flats without leaving you high-and-dry. Rod racks under both gunwales, trim tabs, jack plate with 4-inch setback, custom poling platform, and an 8-gallon crustacean well with clear lid to keep tabs on the bait are among the boat’s many features.

beavertailskiffs.com

Built combining carbon fiber, Kevlar and vinylester resin, the lightweight Ankona Advent draws just 6 inches with two anglers and gear on board. Engineered with a variable-radius transom to enhance shallow-water performance, the hull incorporates sharp spray rails, inset tabs, and a stern pad for added dead rise and a more comfortable ride in a chop. The large, front casting deck with a molded hatch includes ample dry storage, while the specious aft deck includes two 10-gallon wells with angled hatches allows for easy access while in or out of the boat.

ankonaboats.com

With Carbon Innegra and resin-infusion construction, the Morada 18 poling skiff from Islamorada Boatworks offers a lightweight hull designed with 12 degrees of transom deadrise for a soft ride, and a side-hull feature to knock down spray. The outer chine is soft and sits below the waterline to avoid hull slap. The trim tabs are completely recessed to reduce line snags, and a crowned transom makes spinning the boat while poling easier and quieter.

islamoradaboatworks.com

The completely redesigned, vacuum infused (VARIS) Redfisher 16 features Hewes’ famous ride. With outboards from 70 to 115 hp, this boat can cover lots of ground comfortably and safely, even in bigger water. The Redfisher 16 floats in 11 inches of water, can be effortlessly poled or fished with a trolling motor, and it easily fits in the garage. Its wide beam and walkaround gunwales offer an exceptionally stable fishing platform.

Much like the Vantage, East Cape’s largest skiff, the Fury sports a considerable bow flare and large spray rails incorporated into the hull to knock down any spray and keep anglers dry. The flare, which gradually lessens toward midship, enables a wide forward deck with sizeable storage despite the skiff’s small footprint. It also floats very shallow for an 18-footer. And lightweight and narrow at the waterline, the Fury glides and spins readily with little effort when poling, and it requires only a 60 hp motor to run in the mid 30s. A large livewell, rod tubes below the gunwales and additional dry storage in back are among the boat’s key features. As with all other East Cape models, all Fury skiffs are custom built, and a variety of configurations, with different consoles, seating, rod racks, poling and casting platforms, and even towers are available.

Like Spyder’s larger FX model, the 17-foot Flicker is built with biaxial fiberglass, premium resins, pressure-foamed stringer construction, Baltek foam coring and Nida-Core decks for superb strength without added weight. That lighter weight enables the skiff to achieve top performance with a smaller motor, it makes poling easy and rewards flats anglers with a 7-inch draft. The boat features in-deck storage fore and aft, including twin 70-quart outboard compartments and a livewell with high-speed pick up between them. Standard equipment includes under-gunwale racks for 4 rods, vertical racks for 4 rods on the console (2 on each side), 4-switch panel and trolling motor harness. The Redfish and Pro Flats packages offer a number of upgrades, including finished fiberglass hatches, hydraulic steering, hydraulic jack plate, trim tabs, LED cockpit lighting, a poling platform and more.

spyder-boats.com

The Eldora by Hell’s Bay Boatworks boats offers a durable build with a simple interior layout, spacious front deck, and wide-open cockpit. The patented hull design — derived from over 20 years of on-the-water experience — and advanced composites and Carbon Innegra construction were combined to afford flats anglers extremely shallow draft as well as whisper-quiet, easy-to-pole performance.

hellsbayboatworks.com

The 1720 FlyFisher offers flexibility and versatility for the light-tackle and fly fishing specialist. A radical, racy chine line, the signature of Action Craft’s exclusive Qui-Dry Hull, reduces fish-spooking hull slap when poling in the shallows, and ensures a remarkably dry ride when running in a heavy chop. A narrow console affords plenty of cockpit room, and wide, 13-inch gunwales provide for easy walk-around and loads of rod storage underneath. A bench-style seat with flip-down back rest is standard, and includes dry storage underneath for two trolling motor batteries. The livewell has recessed fittings to ensure bait remains alive and frisky.

Sterling’s 180 flats boat is built with an exclusive HPIF process that provides high-pressure foam core, double-hull construction for outstanding strength and rigidity. The 180 is designed to cruise shallow water at speed, yet is silent when poling. Ultra-wide beam offers exceptional stability. Standard features include a self-bailing cockpit, multiple dry storage lockers, specially-made rod holders, angled to protect reels, and more.

americanmarinesports.com

The top model in Mitzi’s family of skiffs, the 17 Tournament is built around the brand’s successful modified V-hull with a transom pocket and 11 degrees of deadrise at the transom, resulting in a zippy and agile shallow-drafting skiff that is easy pole. It features wide walk-around gunwales, three dry storage compartments (one fore and two aft), rod racks under both gunwales, vertical rack (for three rods) in the console, release well in the aft deck, console baitwell, and poling platform.

mitziskiffs.com

The 17 HPX-S is touted by Maverick Boats as a skiff that floats in less than 6 inches of water, drives like a sports car while keeping its occupants dry and comfortable, and poles with precision and stealth. Its one-of-a-kind VARIS constructed Kevlar hull was designed by one of the most experienced teams in the business, with the latest in CAD-designed naval architecture, and advanced aeronautic technologies, to blend a smooth-running surface with poling performance for fishing in super-shallow water.

Built for maximum versatility in a wide range of conditions and fishing situations, the Professional from Hell’s Bay Boatworks combines shallow draft, a dry and comfortable ride, and cutting-edge design. Developed for guides, tournament professionals, and hardcore enthusiasts, this Carbon Innegra-constructed skiff is one of the leading choices for anglers looking for no-holds-barred, performance in a shallow-water fishing machine.

Stealth and shallow draft are the cornerstones of this full size skiff, built on a patented hull that weighs a mere 400 pounds before rigging and incorporates massive built-in spray rails for a super dry ride, a staggered split chine below the waterline for silent poling, and a radius transom (with no sponsons) to prevent rebound waves that may spook fish. The 18 Legacy is offered in two hull forms: the S with 12-degree deadrise and the SS with 2-degree deadrise, both loaded with features like a “floating” center console with 360-degree toe kick and forward seat with a large insulated ice chest, hydraulic steering, trim tabs, two large aft dry storage lockers, aft anchor/dry storage compartment, 14-rod racks under the gunnels with rod tubes fore and aft, 30-gallon baitwell/release well, carbon-fiber poling platform with with SeaDek, LED lighting in all compartments, wells, console and under gunnels, custom stainless steel and aluminum trailer with walk boards, and more.

chittumskiffs.com

The bow deck of the Action Craft’s 19 ACE FlatsMaster features a built-in, removable cooler and storage compartment, plus a round livewell and an anchor locker. The aft deck includes a large, oval livewell and two large storage compartments, one of which can be plumbed to serve as a release well. A full-width dry storage compartment is located below the cushioned bench seat, and features a backrest that folds down flat to extend the aft casting deck.

Designed for anglers who want ample storage and fishing room in an easy-store, shallow-water boat, Bay Craft’s Bone Skiff measures only 18.6 feet in length on a trailer with a swing-away tongue to fit easily in most garages. The boat’s 6-foot, 7.9-inch beam makes it one of the most stable fishing platforms in the industry, and its features include diamond nonskid throughout, all-composite construction, under-gunwale rod storage, self-bailing cockpit, and more.

baycraftboats.com

The workmanship and attention to detail that go into Yellowfin’s offshore center consoles and bay boats is also evident in the 17 CC, the company’s technical poling skiff model. Weighing just 600 pounds, the boat is light and responsive on the pole and it tracks well. Aggressive pebble-style nonskid finish provides good traction even in wet conditions, and the integrated spray rails keep anglers dry during open-water crossings, so this is the kind of technical poling skiff that makes fishing on rough days easier. The boat features a low-profile side console, a cavernous 35-gallon livewell and under-gunwale storage for up to six fully rigged 9-foot fly rods. The cockpit drain system, a unique design feature, allows the boat to self-bail while underway and remain bone-dry at rest with the simple quick turn of the seacocks.

At just over 19 feet, the Vantage has the length to reach the next wave without stuffing the bow when running in choppy, open water, which the V and the deadrise make quite comfortable. The bow flare and large spray rails smartly incorporated in the hull’s design allow the builder to tout the boat as the driest skiff in existence. Despite the 79-inch beam, relatively narrow for a 19-footer, the hull’s footprint is even smaller, helping the skiff attain high speeds, remain nimble and negotiate rough water with ease. When poling, the Vantage exhibits a smaller boat attitude. It tracks very well and spins readily without much effort. On top, the fore and aft casting decks are massive. A cavernous compartment in the front and two generous ones in the rear afford ample storage, and the deep gutters and thick gaskets ensure the contents stay dry. A huge livewell in the aft deck easily accommodates a pair of tournament winning fish or more than enough live bait to chum with. As is the case with other premium skiffs, every Vantage is custom built in a variety of configurations, with different consoles, seating, rod racks, poling and casting platforms, and even towers available, along with a wealth of options, like a hydraulic jack plate, shallow-water anchoring system and more.

Tarpon and backcountry guides from Jupiter to Key West have been fishing aboard the 18 Back Country Pro for over twenty years and brag about its stability in open bays and inlets, the way the deep-V hull cuts through a chop, and the 10-inches of water it only requires to float. With a maximum horsepower rating of 150, this boat tops at around 55 mph, so it’s easy to reach hot spots deep in the backcountry in time for the morning bite, and pick up the family to water ski or dive the patch reefs in the afternoon. Extensive standard features include waterproof switches with circuit breakers, hydraulic steering, trim tabs, cockpit lighting under gunnels and inside livewell and aft storage compartment, in-floor cast net compartment, large dry storage compartments fore and aft, 2 oval livewells (39 gallons combined) with high-speed pickup, storage racks with tubes for 10 rods under the gunnels, poling Platform, recessed push-pole holders, and more.

The Beavertail Air was designed to handle the big water of open bays, yet still access the shallow flats where trophy fish live. Built with tournament anglers at heart, the Air sports 360 degrees of fishability, loads of dry storage, and offers an optional 25-gallon release well. Constructed with the most advanced coring & carbon kevlar materials, the hull is infused to create a solid, yet lightweight structure able to take on the toughest of conditions and still float skinny. And with a full stepped hull and a maximum power rating of 115 horses, Beavertail says the 18-foot Air will get you to the fishing grounds and back fast, dry and in comfort. Key standard features include a large forward casting deck with anchor locker, forward large dry-storage compartment, 30-gallon insulated livewell, two large aft storage compartments which can be plumbed as release wells, trim tabs, jack plate, center console with insulated cooler under forward jump seat, hydraulic steering, under-gunnel rod racks for rods up to 10 feet long, and custom poling platform.

The smaller sibling to Egret’s signature 189 model is still a sizable platform for inshore anglers to navigate in comfort and fish shallow flats unencumbered. Like the larger 189, this boat reaches considerable speeds and takes on big, open water with gusto. Thanks to the 167′s design, materials and construction, every one that leaves the factory is as light and strong as possible. The hull was design to provide a soft, dry ride, and still float and pole surprisingly skinny. Dry storage at the bow and the rear is both generous and easy to access. Rod lockers along both gunwales include racks that cradle rods pointing fore and aft and prevent tangles. A Ritchie compass, an aluminum poling platform with welded rod holders, trim tabs, hydraulic steering, push-pole holders, cockpit lighting and engine gauges are part of the many standard features.

egretboats.com

The combination of classic lines and innovative features really sets the Grand Slam 17 apart. The design incorporates many of yesteryear’s eye-pleasing lines in a skiff built with the latest technology to offer comfort and versatility, performing at the level professional guides and serious flats anglers demand. Whether poling in skinny water or storming across an open bay to the next fishing spot, this Dragonfly is sure to please. The skiff is finely tuned and balanced for easy and quiet poling. There’s ample storage, and a recessed shelf keeps batteries secure and out of the way while affording complete access to the front locker and the trolling motor connections. The Sportfishing Console, a popular option, includes 6 integrated upright rod holders and a slide-out drawer to keep essentials at arms length but out of the elements. Recessed grab handles, oversize cockpit drains plumbed directly to the bilge, a Simpson bracket that makes servicing the bilge pump a cinch, recessed push-pole holders that flip up and retract in unison, and a 22-gallon oval livewell with clear lid and LED underwater lights are among the many other smart appointments available.

Designed to provide a comfortable ride while crossing rough water oceanside or across open bays and still pole over shallow flats with ease, the Biscayne may be Hell Bay’s most versatile flats skiff. Its Kevlar hull is designed with a small footprint and a sharp entry to cut through a chop, with spray rails incorporated to ensure the ride is always dry, even in open water. Vacuum-bagged Core-Cell construction throughout make the skiff strong and tough while keeping the weight down. The flat transom allows the poler to spin the skiff quickly and sharply, while a large hatch up front and a pair of smaller shotgun-style hatches in the rear provide access to generous dry storage compartments. All hatches include a slam-latch design, which locks down the hatch as you close it for extra security and peace of mind. Under-gunwale rod racks accommodate seven fly rods, and the top surface of the standard poling platform comes covered in SeaDek for added comfort.

This unique skiff incorporates a non-slap hull design that makes it a stealthy fishing platform, with a tunnel that runs the entire length of the boat, allowing the motor to be set higher and run at high speed in ankle-deep water. The tunnel also acts as a keel during high-speed turns and helps the boat track straight while poling. Like all Sterling models, the TR7 is built using a proprietary, three-piece construction process whereby the outer hull and inner liner are bonded together, injected with foam flotation under high pressure and then chemically bonded together with the cap to form one solid piece. The boat is made entirely of carbon fiber and Kevlar, delivering a hull weight of just over 500 pounds. Standard features include the poling platform, trim tabs, hydraulic jack plate, a 10-gallon baitwell and 25-gallon release well, removable backrest, LED courtesy lights and a custom Ameritrail aluminum trailer.

With a length of 19 feet and a narrow beam of 6 feet, 11 inches, the FX19 Vapor requires less power to achieve top performance. The long planing pad and transom pocket increase its shallow-water capability. The boat is responsive on the run and takes tight turns as if it were on rails. It also glides and spins easily with the push pole, with hull slap negligible at worst. There’s a 100-quart insulated fish box in the forward deck to ice down the day’s catch and three 70-quart storage compartments, two of them located aft, bookending a release well with high-speed pickup. The Vapor also comes pre-wired for a trolling motor, with a molded pad on the bow to accommodate a quick-release mount, and rod racks — carpeted and recessed — under the gunwales. Finished fiberglass hatches, upgraded vertical console racks for 6 rods, cockpit and baitwell lighting, and a removable folding backrest are included with the Redfish or Pro Flats packages. The latter also includes a poling platform with hinged legs so it lies forward when servicing the motor.

The 18 LTS is a clean, simple and well-executed boat that excels at many things. The foredeck is accented with a nice toe rail and incorporates a large casting platform with a sizeable dry-storage compartment underneath. There is a place for an optional trolling motor on the foredeck and a large anchor locker forward with a double-sided hatch and a gasket to keep water out. There are three vertical rod holders on each side of the console, and the cushioned forward console seat houses an 18-gallon aerated livewell. The business side of the console has a panel for flush-mounting electronics, a side-mount binnacle control to save dash space, and a gauge cluster that’s easily read in front of the helm. The console seat is a 72-quart cushioned cooler with a flip-flop backrest, so you can sit facing aft when drifting and lean back. Along with a long list of standard features, every 18 LTS comes with a trailer, and Mako also offers a wealth of options to rig out the boat for any situation.

makoboats.com

Made from 100 percent vinylester resin and a combination of aerospace-grade closed-cell foam, woven fiberglass and Kevlar cloth, and the builder’s proprietary laminate schedule, the Skull Island 16 achieve an impressive strength-to-weight ration. The sharp forward entry with the wide flare of large Carolina-style game boats and integrated spray rails results in smooth, dry runs. A unique transom feature allows the engine to be mounted higher for increased shallow-water performance, while the lightweight, non-slap hull design makes poling truly effortless. The boat spins on a dime, and its 60-inch beam enables anglers to explore narrow creeks inaccessible to larger skiffs. The Skull Island offers spacious, double-gasketed storage compartments fore and aft, a large self-draining cockpit, under-gunwale racks for six 9-foot rods and a variety of cockpit configurations, including center-console and tiller setups. A powder-coated 12-gallon aluminum fuel tank and trim tabs are also standard, with an extensive list of options available.

skullislandskiffs.com

There’s no doubt this is a premier flats boat. The builder’s quality construction, superb fit and finish and great attention to detail are evident. The hull design provides a soft, dry ride, and surprisingly shallow draft. It’s also capable of considerable speeds and safe, comfortable runs in big, open water. Dry storage fore and aft is extensive and easily accessible. Rod lockers along both gunwales are impressive, designed to prevent tangles while safely cradling rods pointing in both directions. The tinned wiring and electrical connections are clean, well-organized and finished with heat shrink to prevent corrosion. Standard features include a Ritchie compass, hydraulic steering, trim tabs, push-pole holders and a poling platform. An extensive list of options include a casting platform, console vertical rod racks, flush-mount rod holders on the gunwales, on-board battery charger, bow-mount trolling motor and more.

A semi-custom boat designed to bridge the gap between a flats boat and a bay boat . Aided by lifting pads amidships, a unique design feature in the boat’s hull, the Bluewater 180 offers top performance and excellent range. Generous dry storage compartments are fully finished, and deep gutters keep water from seeping in. Walk-around gunnels are complemented with rod racks underneath, and the 30-gallon livewell with rounded corners comes plumbed to circulate water from the bottom up to ensure good flow of raw water and keep live bait nice and frisky. And a wealth of additional fishing features, both standard and optional, meet the demands of even the most hardcore shallow water angler.

bluewatermarine.com

The Dragonfly’s sensuous curves evoke memories of classic yacht design, like the mahogany sportfishers of yesteryear. Only this flats skiff is constructed of tough, modern materials in a perfect blend of tradition and the latest technology. The long list of standard features includes safe-tee steering, Lenco trim tabs, plumbed livewell with quick change pump, poling platform, recessed push-pole holders and hand holds, and rod storage below the gunwales.

The Marquesa from Hell’s Bay Boatworks is designed to float in only 7 inches, and comfortably handle bigger water and more anglers, with a running pad that increases the hull’s running speed and improves tracking and spinning while poling. The front deck is designed free of snags, with plenty of room for a casting platform and substantial dry storage underneath. In the rear, a large livewell fills the needs of live-bait and release tournament anglers, and twin storage compartments hide under hatches that allow easy access from every direction.

The 1600 FlatsPro is yet another model from Action Craft to rank among today’s best flats skiffs. While designed for shallow water use, this 16-footer is US Coast Guard-rated to carry up to five people—more than many larger flats boat models, with storage capacity also substantial. Stability is a key feature of top flats boats and, thanks to its 14-degree transom deadrise and 7-foot beam, the 1600 FlatsPro is super stable. Action Craft also offers multiple seating options to increase the comfort level onboard, including a bench-style helm seat with flip-up backrest that folds flats with the aft deck for fishing, and a raised console with leaning-post seating for better visibility when cruising or scouting for fish. Under-gunwale rod racks and spacious fore and aft casting decks, both boasting a livewell topping 20 gallons, are among the many fishing amenities.

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Average Sailboat Draft

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Sailboat draft varies between different sizes and vessel types. Also, hull type plays a large part in draft depth.

The average draft of a typical production coastal cruising sailboat is about 3 to 4 feet. Some vessels, such as fin keel racing boats, can have much deeper drafts regardless of overall length. The deepest draft sailboats are full-keel blue water cruisers, while the shallowest draft vessels are centerboard island hoppers.

In this article, we'll go over the average draft of sailboats by type and usage. We'll also cover why some boats have deeper drafts than others and what depths are best for applications such as bluewater sailing, racing, and beaching.

We sourced the information in this article from sailboat design guides, experienced sailors, and our own analysis of boat construction and sales trends.

Table of contents

‍ What is Sailboat Draft?

Draft is a term we use to describe how deep below the water a sailboat hull (and everything attached to it) goes. This information is useful because it gives us an idea of how the vessel handles and what conditions it can sail in.

For example, a 40-foot sailboat with a draft of 5 feet could make an excellent blue water passagemaker, but its draft is far too deep for beaching on an island or exploring shallow coral reefs.

Average Draft of Small Sailboats

Some small sailboats, known as island-hoppers or 'gunkholers,' are designed to have flat bottoms and. a retractable centerboard to reduce draft.

These vessels, which are designed to be beached and to sail in shallow water, have a board-down draft of a foot or two and a board-up draft of 10 inches or less. Smaller sailboats, such as dinghies, have an even shallower draft of Just a few inches.

Average draft of Coastal Cruising Sailboats

Coastal cruising sailboats are small, but they're a bit heftier than centerboard island hoppers. They range in size from about 22 to 30 feet in length, and they have an average draft of three feet.

Draft depth is reduced on some vessels that utilize swing keels, which are like centerboards that pivot up into a shallow trunk when the captain needs to reduce draft.

Average Draft of an Offshore Sailboat

Offshore sailboats are known for having a deep draft, and many of these boats keep a significant amount of ballast as low as possible to increase stability. The draft of offshore sailboats ranges from about 3.5 feet on the low end and 6 feet or more on the largest vessels.

Owners of offshore sailboats with deep drafts have to be very careful when navigating harbors and channels, as underwater obstacles or the seafloor can easily cause tremendous damage to a deep keel.

What is Shoal Draft?

A shoal draft sailboat is a vessel with a shallow draft, usually under 3 feet. Examples of shoal draft vessels include the Catalina 22 (with a swing keel) and the West Wight Potter 19. Shoal draft sailboats are usually flat-bottomed (like sharpie sailboats) or, more recently, built with V-bottom hulls.

Shoal draft vessels are great for rivers, lakes, and island hopping but usually aren't comfortable in heavy seas.

Does Draft Affect Stability?

Draft depth can affect stability, but it doesn't always. Instead, the things that affect stability often affect the draft of a sailboat. For example, a heavy ballast keel is long and deep, which helps a sailboat remain stable in rough weather.

A shallower boat with additional internal ballast will sit lower in the water, thus increasing its draft and stability. However, adding an extra two feet to a centerboard likely won't help increase stability, though it will dramatically increase your draft.

Draft Vs. Drag

Many people believe that deeper draft sailboats have more issues with drag than shallow draft boats. This is sometimes the case, but it doesn't tell the full story. Modern deep-draft sailboats often have shallow, rounded hulls and a long fin keel.

The fin keel, which is responsible for the vast majority of the draft depth, is narrow and designed to produce very little drag. These boats are fast and nimble, which makes them popular with modern sailors.

Older vessels with traditional full keels do experience more drag, though they enjoy enhanced stability and superior motion comfort.

Are Deep Draft Sailboats Better?

Deep draft sailboats are usually better for offshore sailing, and some modern deep draft vessels are great for racing. However, the majority of production racing sailboats have flush hulls and a somewhat modest draft, and some utilize multiple blade keels.

For an everyday cruising boat, a deep draft is usually better unless you frequently encounter reefs, sandbars, or other shallow water hazards.

Can You Reduce the Draft of a Sailboat?

Generally speaking, you can't dramatically reduce the draft of a fixed-keel sailboat. If your boat has a centerboard or a swing keel, you can dramatically reduce the draft by retracting it (just don't forget the rudder).

If you're looking to shave a couple of inches off the draft of your sailboat, try emptying the fresh and wastewater tanks and shedding unnecessary items. Don't try to remove any original ballast, as it could completely throw off the stability of your boat.

How to Beach a Deep-Draft Sailboat

Beaching is a fun way to berth your boat. Some sailboats are easy to beach (if they're designed for it), while others require great care. It's possible to beach a deep-draft sailboat, though it requires careful tide planning, terrain exploration, and some extra equipment.

A popular method is to use specialized poles. When you find a good beach, position your boat at high tide and deploy the poles, They'll settle and keep your boat upright when the tide goes out. This method isn't safe for all vessels, so intentionally grounding a deep-draft boat is generally best to avoid altogether,

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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20 Best Small Sailboats for the Weekender

• By Mark Pillsbury
• Updated: August 4, 2021

In order to go cruising, most of us require a sailboat with a head, a galley, and bunks. The boat, likely a 30-footer and more often a 40-footer, will have electronics for navigation and entertainment, refrigeration if the trip is longer than a coastal hop, an engine for light wind, and, depending on our appetites for food and fun, perhaps a genset to power our toys and appliances.

To go sailing , however, all we really need is a hull, mast, rudder, and sail. To experience the pure joy of sheeting in and scooting off across a lake, bay, or even the open ocean, there’s nothing better than a small sailboat – we’re talking sailboats under 25 feet. You can literally reach out and touch the water as it flows past. You instantly feel every puff of breeze and sense every change in trim.

Some of the boats in this list are new designs, others are time-tested models from small sailboat manufacturers, but every one is easy to rig, simple to sail, and looks like a whole lot of fun either for a solo outing on a breezy afternoon or to keep family and friends entertained throughout your entire sailing season. This list is made up of all types of sailboats , and if you’re looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats for beginners, you’ll find exactly that here.

Any one of these popular boats could be labeled as a trailerable sailboat, daysailer, or even a weekender sailboat. And while most would be labeled as a one or two person sailboat, some could comfortably fit three or even four people.

Marblehead 22 Daysailer

If you have an eye for elegant lines and your heart goes pitter-patter over just the right amount of overhang beneath a counter transom, the Marblehead 22 daysailer, designed by Doug Zurn and built by Samoset Boatworks in Boothbay, Maine, will definitely raise your pulse. Traditional-looking above the waterline and modern beneath, the cold-molded hull sports a deep bulb keel and a Hall Spars carbon-fiber mast with a wishbone rig and square-top main. The 11-foot-9-inch cockpit can seat a crowd, and a small cuddy forward will let you stow your friends’ gear for the day. samosetboatworks.com

Catalina 22 Sport

Many a harbor plays host to an active fleet of Catalina 22s, one of the most popular small sailboats over the years, given its basic amenities and retractable keel, which allows it to be easily trailered. Recently, the company introduced the Catalina 22 Sport, an updated design that can compete with the older 22s. The boat features a retractable lead keel; a cabin that can sleep four, with a forward hatch for ventilation; and a fractional rig with a mainsail and a roller-furling jib. Lifelines, a swim ladder, and an engine are options, as are cloth cushions; vinyl cushions are standard. The large cockpit will seat a crowd or let a mom-and-pop crew stretch out and enjoy their sail. It’s clear why the Catalina 22 is one of the best sailboats under 25 feet. catalinayachts.com

With its large, open-transom cockpit and sloop rig, the Hunter 22 makes a comfortable daysailer for family and friends. But with its cuddy cabin, twin bunks, optional electrical system, opening screened ports, and portable toilet, a parent and child or a couple could comfortably slip away for an overnight or weekend. Add in the optional performance package, which includes an asymmetric spinnaker, a pole, and a mainsheet traveler, and you could be off to the races. The boat features a laminated fiberglass hull and deck, molded-in nonskid, and a hydraulic lifting centerboard. Mount a small outboard on the stern bracket, and you’re set to go. marlow-hunter.com

Not sure whether you want to race, cruise or just go out for an afternoon sail? Since 1958, sailors have been having a ball aboard the Uffa Fox/George O’Day-designed Daysailer. Fox, who in the 1950s was on the cutting edge of planning-dinghy design, collaborated with Fall River, Massachusetts boatbuilder O’Day Corp. to build the 16-foot Daysailer, a boat that features a slippery hull and a small cuddy cabin that covers the boat roughly from the mast forward. Thousands of Daysailers were built by various builders, and they can be found used for quite affordable prices. There are active racing fleets around the US, and new Daysailers are still in production today, built by Cape Cod Ship Building. capecodshipbuilding.com

BayRaider from Swallow Boats

Easy to rig and trailer, the BayRaider from England’s Swallow Yachts is a relative newcomer to the small-boat market in the United States. Nearly all of its 19 feet 9 inches is open cockpit, though a spray hood can be added to keep the forward sections dry. The BayRaider is ketch-rigged with a gunter-style mainmast. The topmast and mizzen are both carbon-fiber, which is an option for the mainmast as well. The BayRaider can be sailed with a dry hull in lighter conditions or with 300 pounds of water ballast to increase its stability. With the centerboard and hinged rudder raised, the boat can maneuver in even the thinnest water.

$28,900, (904) 234-8779, swallowyachts.com

Big fun can come in small packages, especially if your vessel of choice happens to be the 12 ½-foot Beetle Cat. Designed by John Beetle and first built in 1921, the wooden shallow draft sailboat is still in production today in Wareham, Massachusetts at the Beetle Boat Shop. With a draft of just 2 feet, the boat is well-suited for shallow bays, but equally at home in open coastal waters. The single gaff-rigged sail provides plenty of power in light air and can be quickly reefed down to handle a blow. In a word, sailing a Beetle Cat is fun. beetlecat.com

West Wight Potter P 19

With berths for four and a workable galley featuring a cooler, a sink, and a stove, West Wight Potter has packed a lot into its 19-foot-long P 19. First launched in 1971, this is a line of boats that’s attracted a true following among trailer-sailors. The P 19′s fully retractable keel means that you can pull up just about anywhere and go exploring. Closed-cell foam fore and aft makes the boat unsinkable, and thanks to its hard chine, the boat is reportedly quite stable under way. westwightpotter.com

NorseBoat 17.5

Designed for rowing and sailing (a motor mount is optional), the Canadian-built NorseBoat 17.5—one of which was spotted by a CW editor making its way through the Northwest Passage with a two-man crew—features an open cockpit, a carbon-fiber mast, and a curved-gaff rig, with an optional furling headsail set on a sprit. The lapstrake hull is fiberglass; the interior is ply and epoxy. The boat comes standard with two rowing stations and one set of 9-foot oars. The boat is designed with positive flotation and offers good load-carrying capacity, which you could put to use if you added the available canvas work and camping tent. NorseBoats offers a smaller sibling, the 12.5, as well; both are available in kit form.

$19,000, (902) 659-2790, norseboat.com

Montgomery 17

Billed as a trailerable pocket cruiser, the Montgomery 17 is a stout-looking sloop designed by Lyle Hess and built out of fiberglass in Ontario, California, by Montgomery Boats. With a keel and centerboard, the boat draws just under 2 feet with the board up and can be easily beached when you’re gunkholing. In the cuddy cabin you’ll find sitting headroom, a pair of bunks, a portable toilet, optional shore and DC power, and an impressive amount of storage space. The deck-stepped mast can be easily raised using a four-part tackle. The builder reports taking his own boat on trips across the Golfo de California and on visits to California’s coastal islands. Montgomery makes 15-foot and 23-foot models, as well. If you’re in search of a small sailboat with a cabin, the Montgomery 17 has to be on your wish list.

With long overhangs and shiny brightwork, the CW Hood 32 is on the larger end of the daysailer spectrum. Designers Chris Hood and Ben Stoddard made a conscious decision to forego a cabin and head in favor of an open cockpit big enough to bring 4 or 5 friends or family out for an afternoon on the water. The CW Hood 32 is sleek and graceful through the water and quick enough to do some racing, but keeps things simple with a self-tacking jib and controls that can be lead back to a single-handed skipper. A top-furling asymmetrical, electric sail drive and Torqeedo outboard are all optional. The CW Hood 32 makes for a great small family sailboat.  cwhoodyachts.com

Sun Cat from Com-Pac

Shallow U.S. East Coast bays and rock-strewn coasts have long been graced by cat boats, whose large, gaff-rigged mainsails proved simple and powerful both on the wind and, better yet, when reaching and running. The 17-foot-4-inch Sun Cat, built by Com-Pac Yachts, updates the classic wooden cat with its fiberglass hull and deck and the easy-to-step Mastender Rigging System, which incorporates a hinged tabernacle to make stepping the mast a one-person job. If you want a personal sailboat ideal for solo sailing, the Sun Can is a great choice. Belowdecks, the twin 6-foot-5-inch berths and many other features and amenities make this cat a willing weekender.

$19,800, (727) 443-4408, com-pacyachts.com

Catalina 16.5

The Catalina 16.5 sits right in the middle of Catalina Yachts’ line of small sailboats, which range from the 12.5 to the 22 Capri and Sport, and it comes in both an easy-to-trailer centerboard model and a shoal-draft fixed-keel configuration. With the fiberglass board up, the 17-foot-2-inch boat draws just 5 inches of water; with the board down, the 4-foot-5-inch draft suggests good windward performance. Hull and deck are hand-laminated fiberglass. The roomy cockpit is self-bailing, and the bow harbors a good-sized storage area with a waterproof hatch. catalinayachts.com

No roundup of best small sailboats (trailerable and fun too) would be complete without a mention of the venerable Hobie 16, which made its debut in Southern California way back in 1969. The company has introduced many other multihulls since, but more than 100,000 of the 16s have been launched, a remarkable figure. The Hobie’s asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam hulls eliminate the need for daggerboards, and with its kick-up rudders, the 16 can be sailed right up to the beach. Its large trampoline offers lots of space to move about or a good place to plant one’s feet when hanging off the double trapezes with a hull flying. The boat comes with a main and a jib; a spinnaker, douse kit, trailer, and beach dolly are optional features. hobiecat.com

Novice sailors or old salts looking for simplicity could both enjoy sailing the Hunter 15. With a fiberglass hull and deck and foam flotation, the boat is sturdily built. The ample freeboard and wide beam provide stability under way, and the heavy-duty rubrail and kick-up rudder mean that you won’t have to worry when the dock looms or the going grows shallow. Both the 15 and its slightly larger 18-foot sibling come standard with roller-furling jibs.

$6,900/$9,500 (boat-show prices for the 15 and 18 includes trailers), (386) 462-3077, marlow-hunter.com

Super Snark

Under various owners, the Snark brand of sailboats, now built by Meyers Boat Co., has been around since the early 1970s. The Super Snark, at 11 feet, is a simple, easily car-topped daysailer that’s fit out with a lateen rig and sail. Billed as unsinkable, the five boats in the company’s line are built with E.P.S. foam, with the external hull and deck vacuum-formed to the core using an A.B.S. polymer. The Super Snark weighs in at 50 pounds, and with a payload capacity of 310 pounds, the boat can carry two.

$970, (800) 247-6275, meyersboat.com

Norseboat 21.5

Built in Canada, the NorseBoat 21.5 is a rugged looking craft that comes in a couple of configurations: one with an open cockpit and small doghouse, and another with a smaller cockpit and cabin that houses a double berth for two adults and optional quarter berths for the kids. Both carry NorseBoat’s distinctive looking carbon fiber gaff-rigged mast with main and jib (a sprit-set drifter is optional), and come with a ballasted stub keel and centerboard. Because of its lightweight design, the boat can be rowed and is easily trailered.

$36,000 (starting), 902-659-2790, norseboat.com

Flying Scot

Talk about time-tested, the 19-foot Flying Scot has been in production since 1957 and remains a popular design today. Sloop rigged, with a conventional spinnaker for downwind work, the boat is an easily sailed family boat as well as a competitive racer, with over 130 racing fleets across the U.S. Its roomy cockpit can seat six to eight, though the boat is often sailed by a pair or solo. Hull and deck are a fiberglass and balsa core sandwich. With the centerboard up, the boat draws only eight inches. Though intended to be a daysailer, owners have rigged boom tents and berths for overnight trips, and one adventurous Scot sailor cruised his along inland waterways from Philadelphia to New Orleans.

Known primarily for its line of racing dinghys, RS Sailing also builds the 16-foot, 4-inch Venture, which it describes as a cruising and training dinghy. The Venture features a large, self-draining cockpit that will accommodate a family or pack of kids. A furling jib and mainsail with slab reefing come standard with the boat; a gennaker and trapeze kit are options, as is an outboard motor mount and transom swim ladder. The deck and hull are laid up in a fiberglass and Coremat sandwich. The Venture’s designed to be both a good performer under sail, but also stable, making it a good boat for those learning the sport.

$14,900, 203-259-7808, rssailing.com

Topper makes a range of mono- and multihull rotomolded boats, but the model that caught one editor’s eye at Strictly Sail Chicago was the Topaz Taz. At 9 feet, 8 inches LOA and weighing in at 88 pounds, the Taz is not going to take the whole crowd out for the day. But, with the optional mainsail and jib package (main alone is for a single child), the Taz can carry two or three kids or an adult and one child, and would make a fun escape pod when tied behind the big boat and towed to some scenic harbor. The hull features Topper’s Trilam construction, a plastic and foam sandwich that creates a boat that’s stiff, light, and durable, and shouldn’t mind being dragged up on the beach when it’s time for a break.

$2,900 (includes main and jib), 410-286-1960, topazsailboats.com

WindRider WRTango

WRTango, a fast, sturdy, 10-foot trimaran that’s easy to sail, is the newest portable craft from WindRider International. It joins a line that includes the WR16 and WR17 trimarans. The Tango features forward-facing seating, foot-pedal steering, and a low center of gravity that mimics the sensation of sitting in a kayak. It weighs 125 pounds (including the outriggers and carbon-fiber mast), is extremely stable, and has single-sheet sail control. The six-inch draft and kick-up rudder make it great for beaching, while the hull and outriggers are made of rotomolded polyethylene, so it can withstand running into docks and being dragged over rocks.

$3,000, 612-338-2170, windrider.com

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Your source for the latest news on yachts, boats and more. Read through our articles to find out how to compare boats and find the right fit for you!

Find Out the Best Shoal Draft Sailboats

Feb 17, 2020

less than a min

re you looking to buy a boat or a yacht? Are you new to the whole naval industry and the marine world? Are you utterly confused right now? It does sound like the beginning of a very random ad, however do not panic! If you are looking to buy a boat and are not sure where to start, know that this is something common for many people. The boating industry is a very interesting and complex one, offering a variety of models and makes with different characteristics that could or could not be appropriate for you. As a result, before buying a boat or settling on a model, make sure to do your research properly . A good first step is to learn the terminology and what different sailboats have to offer.

Let’s start with what a shoal draft sailboat is and what the best shoal draft sailboats can offer you.

A shoal-draft sailboat has a non-centerboard fin keel. They offer the ability to enter very shallow waters and even sail in those waters. That is the main advantage shoal draft sailboats display compared to center-line keels. They are easier to maneuver in complicated situations and their fins take up less interior space. Also, they require less maintenance overall. 

The 3 best shoal draft sailboats

Shoal draft sailboats have become quite popular in the last few years due to their undeniable advantages. Here are the three best shoal draft sailboats that you should have a look at before making a purchase.

• BENETEAU FIRST 435

The Beneteau First 435 is a 1980s construction that became popular quite fast. It features a big hull that allows for ample accommodation space. It includes a three-cabin/three-head layout as well as an aft cabin with a peninsula bed. As a result, during the 80s and 90s this yacht was considered a large one. It also came with the opportunity to choose between a shallow or deep keel, or even three keels, a 2.3-meter draught fin, a 1.9-meter shallow fin and a centerboard, however this model was not much in demand. 

The Bavaria 40 Cruiser is a big boat featuring a large space at a convenient price due to its design and engineering. It was first built in 2000, with two types of keels, the deep iron, a 1.95-meter draught, and a shallow iron, a 1.65-meter draught. It has a three-cabin and a two-heads layout. In addition, the interior space is well lit and aerated. 

• JEANNEAU SUN ODYSSEY 36.2

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36.2 is a shallow fin sailboat with a 1.37-meter fin. The boat still remains stable when on water due to an increased ballast. The hull of this model is well proportioned and allows for comfortable accommodation space. It also features a big fore-cabin, aft cabin, and a large aft heads compartment area. All in all, this is a good model for those looking for a comfortable cruise boat rather than a race boat. 

You can compare these three boats with other models on TheBoatDB and decide for yourself which one is the most appropriate for you!

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6 Popular Low-Draft Boats for Shallow Water (With Pictures)

Many people have been asking for low-draft boats.

Here are six popular low-draft boats for shallow water.

Table of Contents

The Tiburon LX-21

The LX-21 has a draft that sits at only 5 inches deep.

It can cruise through the water almost as quickly as a jet ski, and to see it in action is almost surreal.  On top of this, it can retain shallow drafts of 8″ with four adults on top of it.

Tiburon has put this boat’s console right in the center, and a small bench seat stands right behind it.  The boat’s bow has a nice deck on it that would make fishing, crabbing, or even clamming friendly and easy.  It would also make a good jump-off point for anybody looking to do some wading or swimming.

This boat also features six built-in fishing rod holders and two different storage areas for holding gear.

The boat can handle up to a 175HP engine and go up to 50 miles per hour with this engine. This is all fueled with a 54-gallon fuel tank.

It’s also only 21′ long and 8’6″ wide and has a hull weight of fewer than 1,000 pounds.  This makes this boat a comfortable boat to trailer.

The only downside I can see to this boat is that it is expensive.  Expect to pay at least $45,000.00 for a new Tiburon LX-21.

The Egret 167

This boat is 16’7″ long with a beamwidth of 7’3″.

It is made from either fiberglass or Kevlar, with each weighing in at 800 pounds or 700 pounds, respectively.  Not quite as light as an aluminum boat would be but a lot more durable and capable in shallow waters.

The boat comes with many engine options ranging from 70HP to 140HP.  These engines come from Yamaha, Mercury, E-Tec, or Suzuki.  To fuel the engine, the boat has a 41-gallon fuel tank.  This is pretty large, considering the boat is only 16’7″ long.

The 167 also has a center console with a multitude of rod holders attached to it.  However, the seat is a bench seat integrated into the boat, and it seems to sit a bit lower than Tiburon’s bench seat.

You’ll notice that the bow of the boat features a lovely spacious deck with a storage area.  There are also storage areas on the sides as well as at the rear of the boat.  This boat was built for fishing in low waters, and it has a draft of only 9″.

The boat owners say that the boat is too heavy to pole for long periods of time, but it can handle choppy waters incredibly well for a boat of its size.  They like it because it is stable and easy to catch fish from.

These boats can range from the $30k to $40k price points, depending on the year and the options you choose.

Related Article: 9 Affordable Boats With Enclosed Cabins (with pictures)

The Eldora by Hell’s Bay Boat Works

This boat is a true skiff, and it has a draft of only 3.5 inches.

The boat is also 16’4″ with a beamwidth of 69,” so the 3.5-inch draft is pretty impressive.  It also only weighs 350 pounds, so it can easily be towed.

The engine on this boat is a Yamaha 25 Tiller, and it has a 6-gallon removable gas tank.  With its low weight and shallow draft, this boat can be polled through the water quite easily.

It also has a nice standing platform over the engine, so you’ll have a nice place to pole, to fish from, and to get a good view.

At the front of the boat, you’ll also find a nice standing platform.  Also, it appears that the storage can be gotten to from underneath the front deck, so you don’t have to worry about opening any hatches from the top to get to your gear.

The boat doesn’t have a console, so you’ll have to sit at the rear with the engine in hand, but the backbench comes with a nice pad.

Underneath this bench is a lockable compartment for additional storage.

I couldn’t get an exact price from the manufacturer’s website, but these boats appear to be in the neighborhood of just over $30k.

Related Article: 13 Clever Ways to Get a Good Deal on (New) Boats

The Dragonfly 17 Classic

The Dragonfly 17 is a 17′ boat with an 80″ beam and an 8″ draft.

It weighs in at only 700 pounds, and it could be trailered or even placed on top of a yacht.

This boat comes with a 90HP Evinrude engine with a 24-gallon fuel tank.  A plumbed live well comes standard with the boat, and there are recessed push pole holders molded into it.

The boat has a wood grain console and a nice cushioned backrest on top of the bench seat.  In fact, the entire boat has a luxury feel to it. The deck looks more like a yacht than a skiff, and I’d almost hate to get it dirty while fishing.

This being said, the boat looks like it would make a good fishing boat for shallow waters.  In fact, it has an ample number of fishing rod holders throughout the boat.

The boat is also nice and open, so you’d have plenty of space to move around inside.

Surprisingly, this boat comes in at right around $27,000.00.

Related Article: 9 Tips to Sell Your Boat Quickly (Without Dropping the Price)

The 177 Sport by Scout Boats

This boat has a length of 17’7″, a beam of 7’3″, and a dry weight of around 1,000 pounds.

The draft on the boat is 10,” which is pretty good considering it’s not a skiff and can hold an outboard engine of up to 115HP.

The fuel capacity on the 177 is 20 gallons, and the people capacity is five people.  However, I don’t think you’d have a lot of fun with that many people trying to fish on a boat of this size.

This being said, five people could easily go cruising in the 177.

One of the features that first caught my eye when looking at this boat is that not only does it have a two-person bench behind the console, it also has a seat built into the front of the console.

Combine this with the front deck, and I could see how five people could comfortably sit on this boat.

There are 6-rod holders built into the boat and plenty of areas for storage.  You can also add a bimini top to keep the sun off of you as well.

Scout’s website lists the boat brand new at $24,695.00.  This includes the standard engine and trailer.

Related Article: Minimum Age For Driving or Renting Boats: Rules Per 50 States

The Strike by Beavertail Skiffs

The Strike is 17’6″ long with a beam of 73″ wide.  It has a draft of about 6 inches.

Its gross weight is 550 pounds.

This boat can accommodate an engine of up to 90HP but can be used with an engine as small as 60HP.  It is fueled by a 20-gallon fuel tank, which makes sense for a boat of this size.

The Strike also features a backbench seat with a cushioned backrest and a seat in front of the center console. I’d classify its styling as simple yet clean and functional.

As a true skiff, this boat should be easy to pole, and there is a deck at the back to do it from.  There is also plenty of space at the boat’s bow, which should make poling and fishing nice and easy.

The base price on this boat is $33,000.00.

Related Article: How Much Do Boats Weigh? 11 Types (Numbers & Pictures)

What Is the Minimum Draft on a Boat

Technically speaking, there isn’t a minimum draft that is required on a boat.

However, I’ve yet to see a boat with a draft under a few inches.

In fact, once you put a person into a boat, even the best of drafts will get deeper.

Also, one has to consider that a boat will sit deeper into the water if there is more weight on top of it.  This means that any time you bring friends or even gear along with you, you’ll add to the draft of your boat.

Since fishing with friends is half the fun of boating for most people, it doesn’t always make sense to chase the shallowest drafts.

How Deep Is the Draft on a Pontoon Boat

Pontoon boats all have different drafts depending on how large and how heavy the draft is.

Generally, the larger and heavier the boat, the deeper the draft.

Smaller pontoon boats with small engines can have drafts shallower than 10 inches, while larger boats can easily have drafts higher than 12 inches.

Also, one has to consider that a pontoon boat will have an outboard motor attached to it.  This means that you’ll only be able to go so far into shallow water before having to lift your engine.

Since pontoon boats are hard to pole, this wouldn’t be a great idea.

Final Thoughts

There are many great boats out on the market right now with low drafts.

The classic shallow draft boat for poling is still a Jon boat.

You can choose between typical fishing boats to skiffs, and even pontoons, so if you’re considering buying a boat for shallow water, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from!

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Shallow vs Deep vs Shoal Draft. Boat Draft Explained

When it comes to buying a boat there are lots of different types to choose from, with what seems like an overwhelming number of different design characteristics. Arguably the most important thing to consider though is whether the boat has a shallow draft or a deep draft.

But what on earth do these terms mean and which one is best for you?

Boat draft – shallow vs deep vs shoal

Advantages of a shallow draft boat, disadvantages of a shallow draft boat, advantages of a deep draft boat, disadvantages of a deep draft boat, advantages of shoal draft, disadvantages of shoal draft, shallow draft hull designs, deep draft hull designs, how to decide between a shallow draft, deep draft boat or shoal draft boat.

Shallow draft and deep draft refer to the depth of the lowest part of a boat.

A shallow draft boat has a bottom that lies not far below the waterline and is usually flat with no keel.

Deep draft refers to a boat with a bottom that lies much further below the waterline. However, a deep draft boat’s lowest point may be a keel that lies even lower in the water.

Shoal draft can be considered a hybrid design of shallow and deep draft boats.

Each draft type has advantages and disadvantages which I cover below.

Shallow draft vs deep draft vs shoal draft

For people new to boating the vast amount of features in boat design that are available can overwhelming and making a choice between those designs can be a daunting task.

Although there are an array of different features available on different boat types by far the most important choice you will make as a new boat owner is deciding between a boat with a shallow draft or one with a deep draft.

Because the choice you make will determine where you can use your boat.

Not all boats can navigate the same waters! The draft of a boat determines where it can be used.

The draft of a boat is usually determined by how deep in the water the bottom of the boat sits.

Although it is usually the bottom of the boat that determines its draft sometimes additional things need to be considered.

For example, if a boat has a fin keel that extends much lower than the boat’s bottom then this will determine the boat’s draft rather than the bottom of the hull. Don’t worry, this will all make more sense as you progress through this article.

To understand the difference between deep draft and shallow draft I will give a brief explanation of what each one is, along with its advantages and disadvantages.

Shallow draft explained

I’ve already mentioned that draft refers the depth of the lowest point of a boat. So, what is shallow draft?

On a shallow draft boat this is almost always the boat’s bottom as a shallow draft boat will usually have a flat bottom with no keel. There are exceptions, such as a keel on a shallow draft canoe , but these are not important for understanding the basic principles.

If we take a Jon boat as an example of a shallow draft vessel we can see that its hull design has a flat bottom .

This flat bottom sits just a few inches below the waterline.

In other words, there is only a few inches depth of water between where the boat meets the water and the bottom of the boat which means the boat has a very shallow draft.

The depth of the bottom of the boat is also uniform across the width of the boat and most of its length  – thus forming a solid flat surface that basically sits on the water. This means a shallow draft boat can navigate very shallow waters. Very shallow draft boats, like a Jon boat, can navigate waters that are only a few inches deep.

If you haven’t realized already there are some key advantages to having a boat with a shallow draft.

The 2 major advantages of having a shallow draft boat are:

• In calm water the flat bottom hull makes the boat exceptionally stable and comfortable to ride in.
• The shallow draft allows the boat to navigate very shallow waters without the worry of snagging the boat on rocks or debris.

But as with everything in life there are cons as well as pros to having a boat with a shallow draft.

The 2 major disadvantages of having a shallow draft boat are:

• In choppy water and windy conditions the boat can become unstable.
• The boat is not seaworthy. It can only be used in the ocean close to the shoreline and in optimal weather conditions. A shallow draft boat cannot handle waves. In strong winds and choppy ocean water it will almost definitely capsize. There are exceptions such as a catamaran and some Jon boat owners take their vessels on the ocean but for the most part shallow draft vessels are not seaworthy.

Deep draft explained

What is deep draft?

Deep draft refers to a boat that sits much deeper in the water.

Although a boat with a deep draft will have a hull bottom that sits lower in the water than a shallow draft boat, the bottom of the vessel may not always be the boat’s lowest point. A keel may extend much deeper into the water to offer a seaworthy vessel more stability in very turbulent water thus creating an even deeper draft.

Just like a shallow draft boat has advantages and disadvantages so too does a deep draft boat.

Deep draft vessels have some key advantages over a shallow draft vessel.

The 2 major advantages of having a deep draft boat are:

• The boat very stable in choppy waters.
• The boat is seaworthy and can easily handle waves, thus allowing you to go in the ocean regardless of the conditions.

Of course there are disadvantages to owning a deep draft boat as well.

The 2 major disadvantages of having a deep draft boat are:

• A deep draft boat is not as comfortable to ride in.
• A deep draft boat is restricted to deep waters such as the ocean or very deep lakes and therefore is not suitable for most inland waterways.

Shoal draft explained

There is also something known as shoal draft.

Boats with shoal draft are much less common than the other two types.

A shoal draft boat is one which has a shallower draft than other boats of comparable size.

To read more about shoal draft read my article on the topic here .

When you want the best of both shallow and deep draft worlds then a shoal draft boat is what you need.

The 2 major advantages of having a shoal draft boat are:

• The boat can be used to navigate through shallower bodies of water than a standard deep draft ocean-going vessel.  This allows the boat access to the shoals or shoreline.
• The keel is long enough to provide a safe trip across deep open waters such as the ocean.

Of course there are also disadvantages to owning a shoal draft boat.

The 2 major disadvantages of having a shoal draft boat are:

• The boat does not have as much stability, especially in very choppy water, as a deep draft vessel. Ocean sailing is not as safe or comfortable as it would be in a deep draft boat.
• Access to the shallows is limited. although a shoal draft boat can gain access to shallower areas than a deep draft boat, most inland waterways are too shallow for this craft.

How draft is determined by hull design

It is the lowest point of a boat, as it sits in the water, which determines whether a boat has a shallow draft or deep draft. But, although it may be the lowest point of the boat that determines its draft but this is not the only difference between shallow draft and deep draft boats.

Shallow draft boats and deep draft boats also have different hull designs.

Although you will come across variations to the hull designs shown in the image below, the five basic designs I have given will give you an idea of how the bottom of boats are constructed. The catamaran shown in the image is a special type of pontoon boat .

The main contributing factor to the draft of a shallow draft boat is its hull design, specifically the bottom of the boat. This is because a shallow draft boat will almost never have a keel. A keel is designed to give a boat more stability in turbulent water and as a shallow draft boat is designed to be used on calm water a keel is unnecessary.

So, the lowest point of a shallow draft boat is almost always the bottom of the hull.

However, if you fit an outboard engine onto your boat then you must take into consideration the depth of the propeller when attempting to navigate shallow waters. Many Jon boat owners will keep some form of manual propulsion onboard, such as a paddle or pole , for use in very shallow waters or when approaching river banks etc.

A boat with the shallowest draft will always have a flat bottom.

A flat bottom gives a boat great stability in calm water and creates its shallow draft as the large surface area at the bottom of the boat forces the boat to “sit on” the water rather than to “sit in” the water.

However, not all shallow draft boats have a flat bottom. A pontoon boat has a fairly shallow draft which means it can access much shallower water than a deep draft boat like a v-hull for example. A semi-v hull boat, likewise, can access fairly shallow waters and navigate waters where a deep draft boat could not go. Its semi-v bottom gives it more stability in choppy waters than a flat-bottomed boat though.

However, neither a pontoon boat nor a semi-v boat can access the type of very shallow waters that a flat bottom boat can.

A seafaring boat, or one that regularly navigates choppy turbulent waters, needs much more stability for handling rougher waters. Obviously this means a flat bottom hull design would be unsuitable.

A deep draft boat will therefore have either a deep round bottom or a deep “V” shaped bottom so it sits deeper in the water.

Ocean going vessels will also usually be equipped with a deep keel to offer even more stability in very turbulent water.

If you are unsure about which draft type best suits your needs simply ask yourself this question:

Where will I use my boat?

Answering this question will let you decide which draft type is the best fit for you.

As you have already seen, navigating shallow rivers, streams and lakes requires a shallow draft boat while navigating open choppy water, like the ocean, requires a boat with a much deeper draft.

So, if you intend to stick to inland waterways for freshwater fishing, hunting or you just want to enjoy leisurely trips up and down rivers and streams then it is best to get a shallow draft flat bottom boat.

Inland waterways tend to be calm and have at least a few stretches of water, if not the entire waterway, that is too shallow for a deep draft boat.

On the other hand, if you plan to take to the ocean then a shallow draft boat is not a good idea. You will need a deep draft boat with a keel for more stability in turbulent waters.

If you want to have the option of deep open sea access but would also like to navigate the shoals or wish to hug the coastline tightly then a shoal draft boat is your best choice.

Mick McGrath

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