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Descant · 08-12-2015, 04:40 PM

For our lake, I think "Navigable" generally means 6 ft depth, so 3'6" should be OK. I've been there many times in various cabin cruisers that draw that much. No problem. However, water under you does not mean you have tacking room. Consider that for a good part of the time you will want to start the engine and lower the sails. Not many sailboats in that area, so plan to wave to a lot of people.

I have passed through the Hole in the Wall with a sailboat coming the other way, under sail. We took ourselves out of gear and waited for them, partially to be courteous, partially just to watch a skilled sailor. We were in a 12' beam twin engine cruiser, so if we had been side by side, and one of us made a mistake, there would be a lot of paperwork. No reason to rush when you're boating.

08-12-2015, 04:40 PM	#7
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,337 Thanks: 1,339 Thanked 1,620 Times in 1,052 Posts	"Navigable" For our lake, I think "Navigable" generally means 6 ft depth, so 3'6" should be OK. I've been there many times in various cabin cruisers that draw that much. No problem. However, water under you does not mean you have tacking room. Consider that for a good part of the time you will want to start the engine and lower the sails. Not many sailboats in that area, so plan to wave to a lot of people. I have passed through the Hole in the Wall with a sailboat coming the other way, under sail. We took ourselves out of gear and waited for them, partially to be courteous, partially just to watch a skilled sailor. We were in a 12' beam twin engine cruiser, so if we had been side by side, and one of us made a mistake, there would be a lot of paperwork. No reason to rush when you're boating.