Draft

[Russ]

Okay, so the specs claim a 12" draft for the Mac.
Is that with prop down?

My runabout has a 36" draft with the outdrive down. I've chewed up a couple of props hitting bottom (and rocks).

I was wondering if the Mac really only draws 12" and how likely is it that the prop will hit first and get damaged?

[Divecoz]

You could damage your prop first no doubt. But you sure don't need 36" to run easy / no wake.
But the ad is correct The Boat has a 12" draft .

[parrothead]

The hull draws 12". On mine [Nissan 50hp], you need an additional 12" to power [creep] with the motor down - for a total of 24". The minimum draft with the rudders down is 32".

[Catigale]

Ive weaseled my way through shallows with the prop trimmed up (just under surface) at minimal thrust and gone into less than 18 inches water this way. Also works when beaching on a really shallow slope beach like Chappaquiddick MA.

Go slow, keep an eye on telltale to make sure you are getting water.

[SURV1969]

now that I think about it.

SINCE the Mac is a power-sailer, what good is a 12" draft . . . really?

Imagine 6" more draft and 2-3 more inches in head-room. Or even, a solid mini-keel that runs the length of the boat. The min-keel would actually serve to protect the motor's props.

[Divecoz]

now that I think about it.

SINCE the Mac is a power-sailer, what good is a 12" draft . . . really?

Imagine 6" more draft and 2-3 more inches in head-room. Or even, a solid mini-keel that runs the length of the boat. The min-keel would actually serve to protect the motor's props.

Then think about it. She will float right up to and actually onto a beach your boat wont.
Solid "mini keel " would have to be at least 12 to 18" deep or more. As for head room ? How much more do you need ?
But if its not the right boat for you and there is a better boat for you out there and its price is overall relative . . . its a no brainer isnt it?

[eric3a]

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[ned miller]

Our boat's draft is no more than 12" with the motor up. That is one of the boats strong points. We often explore areas where no other sailboat could go...and carry long oars to push through shallow areas. You should see the faces of fishermen when they round the bend and see us in a place they have never seen anything but a flat bottom boat!
You can throw the Mac on the trailer and take it to explore rivers and streams and go places very few boats of it's size can go, and then float down to a lake and fill the ballast, drop the board, and raise the sails. If weather threatens you can drop the sails and put down the motor and head for that little shallow cove to anchor or tie up, safe from the nasty effects of the weather that other boats have to endure. You can sleep in a large bed and fix breakfast inside out of the rain. The next day you can pull her up on a beach and the flat bottom will keep her level and you can take a swim. What a boat!

[Chip Hindes]

SINCE the Mac is a power-sailer, what good is a 12" draft . . . really?

Funny. Those who have just passed over a sand bar 13" below the surface never ask that question.

I have run my Tohatsu 50D trimmed up with less than the prop diameter in the water. As long as you keep the revs down and there's water coming out of the peehole you're fine.

[Don T]

Hello,
I'm with Chip on this. At the end of the summer the channel into Rooster Rock lagoon is 12" > 14". Sometimes I have crew go forward to flatten out the boat a bit more to get in. More than once I have bounced the bottom getting out of some gunk hole in the lower Columbia when the tide goes out. I could have walked it out with my pants rolled up.

[SURV1969]

is that if a prop motor generally has to be about 18" into the water . . . or so, then what good is a 12" draft. Or, for that matter, even a 6" draft?

Maybe 18" high boots would be better than a 12" draft. I mean, after all, even with 12" draft(or even 6" draft), one eventually has to step off the boat and if the bow is not "on", a beach(with a bow-ladder), eventually one's feet are going to go into the water.

ANYWAY . . . I wonder why I've never heard of anyone ever talk about a jet-motor(like a jet-ski), I think these motors work in much shallower waters and aren't subject to the same damage as a rotating prop. This type of motor would seemingly make the 12" draft make more sense.

[Divecoz]

Because over all they are not suited for this purpose. You lose about 10 to 15% of a motors Relative HP to Jet drive and even more in reverse. These are big boats for a mix of power and sail and a jet would perform poorly. So what is your point???? 12 " draft allows us to go / launch where few other sailboat's can launch . Not including sunfish. . . . of coarse.

[SURV1969]

I didn't realize there was a substantial power loss and I never gave any thought to no reverse.

The idea was that if a flat-bottomed boat got into 12" of water and got "stuck", that a motor would aid greatly in getting the boat into deeper water.

Since, at 12", the outboard motor hits bottom, it wouldn't help much.

This is why I wondered about the 6" keel. The 6" keel, would help in holding a powered course and IF the 6" keel were ever to ground, the motor would remain fully usable. Plus it would be easier to remove a boat hard only on a keel, than being hard on more of the bottom.

. . . just pondering about the advantage of having a 12" draft, when the motor is at 18"

[Divecoz]

You would have some reverse but not near what I have with my 50 hp Merc Big Foot. That 6 inch keel would be for what ? 6" would help to hold it cut into the shore or a grounding but not much else. 12" get's the boat off the trailer. 12" get's it in real close to shore stick a 6 " keel on the bottom and you now need 18". and a differnt trailer. Its not a flats boats or a Jon boat its enough to be what it is.. . . a Waterbago capable of sailing 8 mph cruiseing under power at up to 30 mph ( not mine not with only a 50) and running down the Hiway at 80 mph. Capable of standup room in much of the cabin and an on board head and galley and sleeping for 2 adults and 4 kids . If ya get the X you can even install a shower pretty easy.
This poor little boat is already doing more than any boat ever built, well for the money and it has a 12 " draft. . .

[eric3a]

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