Moorage Water Depth

[Astroboy]

I am a new owner of a 1999 Pro Air Nautique. I currently have my boat moored at a marina, but the slip I have is at the end of the dock and is more exposed to the 'elements' than I would like. ie, the breakwater doesn't do a great job. The marina does have a couple spots available in a nice sheltered area, but the depth is minimal. I was wondering if anyone out there could comment on required/desired depth of water for moorage. The manual states a draft of 24". Does this include the prop? Also, the lake bottom is sand and therefore maybe a concern for the raw water intake.

Any thoughts or comments?

Rich.

[vthokies]

RE: Moorage Water Depth

The draft includes the prop and all underwater gear. Does your depth vary? If so I would make sure the lowest it gets would be 30 inches minimum at the lowest point.

[Rick]

RE: Moorage Water Depth

It depends on how rough the water is where you moor. I have moored my 2000SN in 20" of water in a breakwater that was dead calm. It had a sand bottom so even if the rudder os prop touched nothing happened. If you have chop where you moor you need to have 30"

[Astroboy]

Thank you

Thank you for your help. Much appreciated! :grin:

This is a great site, especially for newbies...

[Chris4x4Gill2]

RE: Thank you

are any other boats moored in a similair spot with the same depth? what kinds are they and do they have any issues? If there are some I/O moored there you should be fine, they usually draft a good bit more than a nautique. Most marinas wont have slips in 2 ft of water, to much of a potential for the water leve l to drop.

[SkiTundra]

RE: Thank you

Stern drives have the ability to trim up and many can navigate and moor in 12" of water so I wouldn't use that as a guide. Our Marina, which is experiencing extremely low water levels this year, rearranged everyone in order of required depth (deepest > shallowest); Fixed keel sailboats, inboards, slack keel sailboats, outboards, sterns, pontoons. Nearly half of our 225 slips are 2' or less and work for everything but fixed keel & inboards.