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Old 07-13-2011, 09:50 AM
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ILikeRust ILikeRust is offline
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This is why I'm glad I have a shoal-draft keel with a large centerboard.

The Pearson Wanderer draws 3'6" with the board up; 6'9" with the board down.

Much of the time, you can just leave the board up, because it's a nearly full keel with 3,800 lbs. of lead in it. Lowering the board does help noticeably when close-hauled or reaching.

But when motoring up a channel, it's nice to draw only 3-1/2 feet.

The previous owner of my boat told me that if he did run aground, he would just hop over the side and stand on the bottom, since the water would be only up to his waist, and shoulder the boat off. Fortunately, I haven't had to try that yet. I'm sure my time will come. There are two kinds of sailors on the Chesapeake: those who have been aground, and liars.
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