Deep Keel vs Shoal Draft - Which Should You Buy?

Keel and Rudder Design Basics: https://www.practical-sailor.com/systems-propulsion/keel-and-rudder-design-basics/ Deep keel or shoal draft: which should you buy? In this episode, we look at one of the biggest sailboat buying decisions cruisers face. A deeper keel usually means better windward performance, better pointing, less leeway, and a more planted feel under sail. But a shoal-draft sailboat can open up shallow anchorages, skinny water cruising grounds, the Bahamas, the Chesapeake, Florida, the ICW, and places a deeper boat simply cannot go. We compare the real-world trade-offs between deep keels, shoal-draft keels, wing keels, bulb keels, centerboards, lifting keels, and long-keel cruising boats. If you are shopping for a cruising sailboat, liveaboard sailboat, bluewater cruiser, coastal cruiser, or used sailboat, draft matters more than many buyers realize. Which would you choose for your next boat: the deep keel that sails better, or the shoal-draft boat that gets you into more anchorages? Leave your answer in the comments and tell us where you sail. Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/