Draft

[FlatsFisher12]

How technically do you measure draft depth. Is it from the bottom of the boat or the water line to the bottom of the motor?

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Draft

Draft is the distance between the lowest point on your boat (keel, prop, rudder, whatever) and the waterline. Basically, it's the minimum depth of water required to fully float your boat.

 

[FlatsFisher12]

Re: Draft

thanks, kinda hard to get answers on here sometimes. nice boat btw

 

[180shabah]

Re: Draft

manufacturers typically list both measurements.

Draft with drive/motor up
Draft with drive/motor down.

Both measured from waterline down.

 

[RollingWanderer]

Re: Draft

Makes me wonder if the draft specs from the manufacturer are with an empty or loaded boat. I'm pretty sure that my boat rides a little lower in the water when it's fully loaded vs. when I'm running by myself.

Although it's probably not a significant amount, I'm still a little curious.

-RW

 

[marquette]

Re: Draft

there is also 2 kinds of draft. static draft which is the amount of water to float your boat(had to say it) when sitting still. and then there is the draft when under way (i forget the technical term but i believe it is kenetic draft). usually measured on plane. both are important to a flats fisherman. the first is important when you are poling or pulling the boat wading. the second when you are moving from place to place. and i think you are right in that boat manufacturers are pretty vague in how they measured their advertised draft because they never say with or without passengers or how heavy of a motor or gear.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Draft

The boat was designed witha specific waterline - a point on the hull that the boat will submerge to when loaded to capacity. They will also have a PPI (pounds per inch immersion) spec. This will tell you how many pounds of weight will alter the waterline by one inch. This is not a typically published spec, but the engineers do know what it is. What you will need is the displacement weight used by the manufacturer when the designated the waterline. Have you boat weighed, then the rest is just math.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Draft

Draft is the amount of water it takes to safely navigate your boat. So it will vary day to day. whether you have your prop up or prop down. How much of a load that is in your boat. Even if you are in fresh or salt water. So you need to get a close Idea how much weight you normally carry and measure from the lowest point of your boat. whether you do it to the skeg on the motor or to your keel. So normally it is the back of the boat that is the lowest. Just take a tape measure and see how deep the water is. BUT if you are going by your depth finder, you need to measure from the depth finder to the bottom of the lake because the sending unit is usually under water, not at the water line. This way you will have a good idea if the depth finder says you are in 5 feet of water you need to raise your motor and you are getting close to hitting bottom. WOW!! hope all that helped a little.

 

[joed]

Re: Draft

Draft is when your beer comes from a tap instead of a bottle. It's depth will depend on how long it has been sitting on the bar and how thirsty the owner is.

 

[Fu-Inator]

Re: Draft

Draft is when your beer comes from a tap instead of a bottle. It's depth will depend on how long it has been sitting on the bar and how thirsty the owner is.

That is an awsome answer... only a couple more hours before I and lower some drafts... lol.

 

[oops!]

Re: Draft

im glad someone finally said it...^^^^^^^^ that was a joke just waiting to happen.....we dont want to appear to the new guys as a bunch of MBS infested boat geeks!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Draft

Draft is when your beer comes from a tap instead of a bottle. It's depth will depend on how long it has been sitting on the bar and how thirsty the owner is.

Great answer !!!!

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Draft

If you asked Oops that ? it would be exteeeeended with a Corona in his hand while telling you . But it may take about 2000 posts.