Draft: built down vs skeg

[hotdog68]

Thinking about a downeast for South Florida, (32' - 35') and i know that these boats have a deeper draft than my center console. I'm wondering which of the two (built down or skeg) has the deeper draft or are they both the same? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

[MDI45]

Hotdog68,The two designs relatively have the same draft in each boat size within inches...i do believe that as the size of the boat increases the draft gets deeper

 

[John Riddle]

Hotdog:

I think you'll find the draft of a 35' DE is going to come in around 36" to 40" or so, regardless whether it's built-down or skeg-built. Is your area that shallow that a few inches makes the difference? Because maybe what you want is a "downeast" look but don't necessarily require the true DE hull design, which is characteristically fairly deep. Depending on how you intend to use the boat, a shallow draft "DE" might make sense for you. I'd be happy to discuss ideas with you. Contact me any time.

 

[F/V First Team]

Easiest hull type as far as a DownEast is considered to modify would be a skeg built. For your particular size range, 32-35, I'd suggest the Calvin Beal 34. Lop the skeg right off and slap a nice outdrive on her - maybe a volvo duoprop? Should scoot right along and give you lots of useable space while keeping your draft to a minimum, maybe 18 inches or so with the outdrive up as high as it could go. Block it right off in the mold, easy peasy.

 

[steveinak]

Outdrive in a DE just ain't right !! why ruin a great boat with one of those pos ?? I put up with a outdrive for 20 years NEVER AGAIN.

 

[F/V First Team]

oh come on steve, where is your sense of adventure?

if we really wanted to push the envelope we could rig up a beavertail for it

 

[tunaorlater]

Might as well put in a pair of pods.

 

[MouseTrap]

Maybe an outboard?

East Coast 30 (Ken Flowers South Shore 30).

 

[steveinak]

I'd go with outboards on a DE before i'd even think of another one of those outdrives. Nobody's mentioned jets? guess then you'd have to cut the whole keel off the hull. I still like a big slow turning diesel, big transmission, big shaft with a big prop on it.

 

[steveinak]

oh come on steve, where is your sense of adventure?

if we really wanted to push the envelope we could rig up a beavertail for it

whats a beavertail ?

 

[Downeaster]

Outdrive in a DE just ain't right !! why ruin a great boat with one of those pos ?? I put up with a outdrive for 20 years NEVER AGAIN.

I'm with Steve on this one! Fished for giants alongside a guy in a small boat (maybe a Sea Craft) who was always on the grounds despite having a too-small boat. His was IO powered and, when hooked up, he'd dance the stern around without moving the bow an inch - that's the end of the "positive list". I later learned that he had three outdrives - the one on the boat, a rebuilt that was ready to go in his garage and the third which was off somewhere being rebuilt. This is a true story.

Never understood the Northwest's commitment to IOs.

 

[BillD]

I'm with Steve on this one! Fished for giants alongside a guy in a small boat (maybe a Sea Craft) who was always on the grounds despite having a too-small boat. His was IO powered and, when hooked up, he'd dance the stern around without moving the bow an inch - that's the end of the "positive list". I later learned that he had three outdrives - the one on the boat, a rebuilt that was ready to go in his garage and the third which was off somewhere being rebuilt. This is a true story.

Never understood the Northwest's commitment to IOs.

I owned a pr. of merc IOs on my 1st boat, a 1966 25 Bertram Moppie Hardtop.
The IOs were real good @ eating "$money$ in repairs.

 

[MouseTrap]

I've always considered I/Os to be the worst of both worlds... An engine box you can not get around at the transom (stern-drive), and an outdrive you can'tt get out of the salt water when tilting up.

Lots of moving-articulating parts to fail over time.

 

[F/V First Team]

whats a beavertail ?

Only it would be a V8 driving the propeller...

 

[cb34]

ss 30

Anyone know what became of that SS 30 outboard version?

 

[MouseTrap]

I've seen older posts from two years ago, or so, about the build (on other forums). The posts stopped updating, and Ken stated that the owner of the hull has had some health issues. I'm not sure how far he got on the build. I think he's a lobsterman on Little Deer Isle.

 

[Ditchdigger]

Outdrive in a DE just ain't right !! why ruin a great boat with one of those pos ?? I put up with a outdrive for 20 years NEVER AGAIN.

Have to agree. NOTHING belongs in a Down East Boat except a single diesel ! Down East is Down East. Mix them up, and You've got Egg Plants ! Look Around You. Everything that was quality has now bin compromised or Diluted. Quality will stand alone, The rest will be what the other people accept because they Know no better.

 

[mainely boats]

Anyone know what became of that SS 30 outboard version?

The owner has had a few issues getting it finished.