Draft

[BlueDart]

I'm looking at a 1995 Larson SEi 194 with the V6 Mercruiser engine but need to know draft for docking at our waterfront. During low water periods of time only have about 30 inches of water depth.
Is this enough or could I manage by tilting the stern drive higher?

Thanks

 

[QBhoy]

It’s certainly not enough with the outdrive down.
I’m not sure of your particular boat, but on my 18ft open bow and alpha one, even with the drive tilted all the way up, it still sits lower than the hull and about 2ft draft at least. 3ft or just over when down. My boat does sit quite heavy at the stern though compared to others of its size and style.

 

[harringtondav]

This sounds a bit tight for any I/O. My '96 SEI 174 with the same 4.3 states 27" drive down. I've measured it w/o passengers, ave gear and 1/2 fuel. Pretty close. Drive up is less. Operating in gear above the trim limit is dicey, but at low idle you can splash your way back into deep water. I've done it often on sand bars and beaches, trimed down enough to get my prop under water. In a slip, you'll eventually wash out a trench.

If worse comes to worst, you can pole it or push it out to deep enough water.

 

[southkogs]

My Bayliner calls it's Max Draft 2'10" ... With the drive tilted way up, I know I've been in about 2 1/2' of water before. Prop was just a little below the surface and I was going just at idle. That was done on a soft bottom lake - mostly sand and silt. Here in TN where we have a lot of rock on the bottom, I wouldn't go in that shallow. In fact I've got the depth alarm set to squeal in 5' of water.

 

[JASinIL2006]

With the drive trimmed up you might be OK. You would not have much of a margin, though.

 

[tpenfield]

30 inches probably would not let you keep the outdrive down, but certainly you should be fine with the drive up about 3/4 of the way.

 

[Scott Danforth]

they make paddles and poles

 

[BlueDart]

Thanks to all who replied with good advice on my Draft issue. All responding saying basically same thing so I will be poling/paddling in and out or looking at dock extension.

 

[tacx]

I have a 22'-6" harris kayot super dek with a 5 .7L Mercruiser Alpha 1 gen 2. See picture. The draft at the transom for just the hull is 15". We only have about 24" of water at the rear of the boat when docked. I have to raise the OD past the normal trim limit with the trailer trim to about 3 /4. With four people in the boat I just have them sit up front until I slowly back up into deeper water. That said our deck boat does not have a deep v hull, but it is a very heavy boat.

We really haven't had an issue with the depth other than having to raise the OD more than I like. I would venture to say you should not have a problem with your 19' boat and 30" of water.

Also my brother who lives a couple doors away does have about 30" of water and has no problem with his 19' four wynns deep v hull.

 

[roffey]

my alarm sounds at 1.5 feet. I have bumped logs at that depth so at 3 feet I go dead slow and at 1.5 motor is trimmed up.

 

[BlueDart]

Appreciate all for sharing experiences and providing advice. It is this taking the time to share that makes this type of site valuable to all.

 

[wahlejim]

What type of bottom where you are docking? If it is a soft bottom, lower the outdrive a little more every time you pass through. You will blow a trench through in no time. I ran into that situation when I bought my lake house. PO didn't have a boat or even a dock. 15 years of undisturbed buildup under a willow tree. After about 5 passes, pulled the boat, replaced the raw water impeller, and I have a trench that I follow whenever I take the boat out.

Obviously a rocky or sandy bottom will be different. Summary: Soft/muck bottom let the boat make a trench for you (a pole will be useless anyway) Rocky/sandy bottom, pole or paddle