Minimum Water depth to dock

[kulle]

Hello,

Somewhat new to boating and looking to vacation at a lake with a slip. I have a 2009 Tahoe q5i sf and the property owner says low tide is around 3 feet. Is my boat capable of being docked at that depth? The owner suggested it wasn't a good idea???? Thanks for your expertise in helping me determine the minimum depth of a v-hull like mine.

 

[alldodge]

Boat on the trailer measure from the water line to the bottom of the drive, that gives you a number. If you were in a place that gets very little waves then add at least 2 foot (can always raise the drive a tad to get more after docking).

If your in a place where waves can get bad add more depth

 

[kulle]

Ok, assuming ill see the water line marks on hull. I don't think I would have many waves, but why would I need to add mire depth with little to no waves? Also I would dock boat and keep outdrive up(is that not how to do it), so just the hull be in water. Sorry for the questions just don't want to ruin this boat, just got it.

 

[harringtondav]

I don't know your boat. Most boats have a specified draft with drive full up and full down. I looked up a new Tahoe 500 TS: 18.5"/34". I've been comparing new boats in a spreadsheet. Range in 20' boats is 20"/37".

It looks like you'll be OK. Trim up and idle in at low tide. Put the drive up in trailer when moored.

 

[kulle]

Ok yeah thats kind of what I was hoping. Mine's 19ft

 

[kulle]

I found a spec sheet on my boat...shows draft max-17" so is that the min depth I need-meaning 3ft water depth should be good?

 

[ahicks]

Tides can be pretty screwy. For instance an off shore breeze can cause unusually low low tides. The wind is literally blowing the water out to sea, especially in a bay or inlet.

Point being you're close......

 

[alldodge]

You don't want to dock the boat with the drive up because; its hard on the bellows, it stretches it out and can form cracks easier. Salt water is even harder on the bellows.

The wave part, is if waves come in they raise the boat, and there is always when the water retreats, it gets a tad more shallow. Also when the boat is coming off the wave it pics up some speed due to gravity. So it will sink a tad more before coming back up.

If there are big waves, even more speed going back down

 

[garbageguy]

Agree, it's close. What's the bottom, 6-12" of soil (often referred to as mud or silt)? flat rock?, individual rock or stones?

 

[poconojoe]

And don't run your stern drive while trimmed all the way up in the trailer position. It's bad for the U-joints. I don't know how your trim switch operates, but mine has two positions. If I press it up, the drive will stop at the preset (engine running) trim limit. Then if I press it in further, it will start up again and stops at the limit for the trailer position.

Try not to store your boat with the drive up. Whenever you are not using it, it's advisable to keep the drive down, if possible. When it's up, the bellows are stretched out and this may shorten the life of the bellows.

 

[GA_Boater]

What lake are you on with tides?

 

[harringtondav]

I found a spec sheet on my boat...shows draft max-17" so is that the min depth I need-meaning 3ft water depth should be good?

...doesn't sound quite right. Most specs are draft drive up and drive full down (don't if "up" means trailer or full trim up). I'd go with your boat floating in 17" of water with the drive up in trailer. Go with allDodge's measurements with the drive full down and again up to full operating trim up (not trailer).

Bouncing your drive in the bottom isn't good. Even if muck it will remove the paint and stress the prop shaft seals and transom. See what the distance from the drive's torpedo nose to waterline is when trimmed operating full up and compare this to you 3' water depth. ....guessing you will have room to spare. As stated, waves change the game.

 

[Texasmark]

Nobody touched on the effect of "wake boats" or other boats that make big wakes in addition to tidal variations, plus wave action if a storm comes up.

 

[dingbat]

Best friend has 3 feet of water at high tide. No problem getting in and out on high tide with an I/O. May stir a bit of mud getting in and out put your good.

I draft 14” and navigate (drive up) at 24”. Spent many a night at his dock in water “lower than a dog hangs” with no problems.

 

[JimS123]

Everybody is right. NEVER keep the drive up unless you are driving on the highway.

Now, look around at all the unedumacated boat owners that keep the drive up 100% of the time. Look at the idiots that get shrink wrapped and then drive the boat home with the drive up, only to let it sit like that all Winter.

Surely that group will suffer short lives on their bellows and all that goes with it. However......, for a week's vacation don't worryboutit.

As far as the u-joints. If you unknowingly find yourself in shallow rocky water, what would you care about more - the joint, or the prop and the lower unit?

When on the trailer, slowly raise the outdrive until it is above the bottom of the boat. Note the position on the trim gauge. It will be high, but not all the way up. That's your safe shallow water position, PROVIDED that you keep the rpms at idle and surely no higher than 1000 rpm.

That's what Mercruiser recommends and it surely works. Don't drive for hours that way, but it'll surely get you off the sandbar.

 

[Lou C]

Sounds like you are going to have to dock it with the drive up and then wait till the tide comes in to go boating because 3' of water is very shallow for an I/O. Running it nearly all the way up stresses the ujoints. Can be done but only at slow idle till you get in deeper water. It makes it easy to suck up sand and muck into the cooling system, which eventually can wear the impeller. I have had mooring spots like this in some years. Its not ideal but do-able. You should be replacing the bellows approx. every 5 years to be on the safe side.

 

[kulle]

Thanks all for the great info and guidance. I know not to store with drive up(i've done a bellows repair on my previous Alpha 1 drive)

So this is only a 4 day get away, slip is on Nabbs Creek, Maryland, which connects to the Patapsco River if anyone knows anything about that area? There are a bunch of Marinas around..maybe i'm juts being overly paranoid but dont want to break the boat. I was actually at a local lake yesterday and in the one area my depth finder sounded alert on about 2 ft- i had my drive up pretty far at idle.

 

[kulle]

And don't run your stern drive while trimmed all the way up in the trailer position. It's bad for the U-joints. I don't know how your trim switch operates, but mine has two positions. If I press it up, the drive will stop at the preset (engine running) trim limit. Then if I press it in further, it will start up again and stops at the limit for the trailer position.

Try not to store your boat with the drive up. Whenever you are not using it, it's advisable to keep the drive down, if possible. When it's up, the bellows are stretched out and this may shorten the life of the bellows.

So my old boat had trim up/dwn and a trailer button. I set the trim limit to merc specs, like 22 3/4 extended. My new boat only has trim up/down no trailer button, so holding the trim up will take it all the way up. Wondering if the trim limit isnt working? I dont know if it was "limited" it would prevent from going all the way up for trailering?

 

[alldodge]

My new boat only has trim up/down no trailer button, so holding the trim up will take it all the way up.

With no trailer button your limit is bypassed