Yacht Draft in the Caribbean

Scotty,

Welcome to the forum. You will find many people here offering great advice about many different aspects of boat ownership, charter, etc...

There is no set rule for drafts in the Caribbean. Different ports have different depths.

The Bahamas maximum is around 8 feet. The major ports are deeper, but the desirable "out" islands are much shallower.

Best Regards,

Nicholas

Port St. Charles Marina here in Barbados is 14 feet at Low Tide.

http://portstcharles.com/display.php?page=2

I am not sure of the depth of the Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas, USVI but it has to be significantly deep since it accomodates Rising Sun regularly.

http://www.yachthavengrande.com

Isle De Sol in Simpson Bay St. Maarten is another very good marina with maximum draught of about 20 feet.

http://www.igy-isledesol.com/marina/overview/

Falmouth Marina in Antigua also has draught of up to 20 feet and could accomodate yachts up to 330 feet long.

http://www.antigua-marina.com/

Atlantis Marina, part of the Atlantis hotel in Paradise Island, Bahamas has excellent conditions with 12 foot draught at low tide.

http://www.atlantis.com/resources/marina/specifications.aspx

The small Clarkes Court Bay Marina in Grenada

http://www.clarkescourtbaymarina.com/

Also there is the bigger and more sophisticated Port Louis Marina still underconstruction in Grenada. It has accepted the Maltese Falcon and other large yachts. The marina has varying depths but up to 26 feet are attainable.

http://portlouisgrenada.com/port-louis/real-estate/port-louis-site-plan.html

Rodney Bay marina in St. Lucia has beautiful facilities with draught of about 14 feet.

http://www.igy-rodneybay.com/marina/

Ocean World Marina in Dominican Republic has draught of up to 12 feet.

https://www.marinamate.com/m-cb-dr.html

Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio, Jamaica has draught up to 30 feet.

http://www.portbooker.com/en/marinas/jamaica/port-antonio/port-antonio/errol-flynn-marina-and-boatyard/

Village Cay Marina in Tortola BVI has up to 11 feet.

http://www.igy-villagecay.com/marina/overview/

So no need really to worry about the draught of your yacht.

let me give some more accurate details as to where Antigua is concerned.

the channel going into falmouth harbour is 30ft deep

Falmouth Harbour Marina

depth; 21ft

capability; it can accomodate yachts in excess of 380ft. ( the 377ft. le grand bleu docked there on numerous occasions)

the main dock is 380ft. long, while the secondary piers are 338, 335, and 244ft long.

Antigua Yacht Club Marina

depth; can accomodate yachts with draft in excess of 25ft.

capacity it is capable of accomodating mega yachts. notable yachts which docked there were( maltese falcon,nero, athena, eos, tatoosh, limitless and pelorus)

the longest pier is 290ft in length

visual aid

In general you'll find that most motor yachts up to 50' or so will have a draft of under 4'. Up to about 80' it's about 5' to 6'. Above that 7' to 11' until you get real big and above 80' (and often below) you'll generally find them carrying a dink or tender which will allow the yacht to anchor out and still come in. So draft isn't usually as important as prudence.
In reality Scotty's area is much harder to navigate as lakes will often have old 20' trees sticking up from the bottom of 21' deep lakes after the spring thaws and rains. Getting local knowledge there is key as it is when transiting questionable areas anywhere in the world. When in doubt follow someone bigger than you or put out a call for local knowledge. Otherwise dead slow.

In the caribbean, you need a boat with 2 things:

a draft shallower than 10 ft and a sea-worthy boat that can withstand rough seas

I live here, and my 54 bertram couldnt be a more perfect boat thatll meet these 2 conditions. but if you want a motoryacht, I coldnt say. I dont know much about motoryachts.

Draught shouldn't be a problem in the Caribbean unless you own something bigger than "Rising Sun" or one that draws water like a cruiseship. If so then you will definitely need to berth at a commercial harbour or anchor offshore.

You might want to add a 3rd...Someone maintaining a careful watch as evidenced by a certain Sea Ray in another thread.

Hi,

Isa that Bertram of your one of the rare ones with sails instead of main engines, thereby making it a sailing yacht not a motor yacht?

Come on K1W1. You know SF's don't consider themselves yachts. Yachts require a blue blazer and yachtie cap.

well i know Antigua definitely doesn't have a problem where draft is concerned.

but what abt yachts like eos, athena, maltese falcon and mirabella V? don't they have deep draughts?

Boats like these stick pretty close to shipping lanes, and only go into more major ports. If they want to gunk hole they'll anchor out and use their launches (which generally aren't too shabby).

well all these yachts have docked in our marina already.

and the maltese falcon docked in grenada's new marina too

Kiwi Im sure you know what Im talking about

Im just saying I dont know much about motoryachts regarding sea-keeping abilities, and I mean those MOTORYACHTS, not sportfish.

well, if you're all restricting the area of the caribbean to the lesser antilles, then you shouldnt have a draft problem with the exception of guadaloupe. but as far as Puerto Rico, the islands of Culebra and Vieques, and the Virgin Islands, shallow drafts are a must.

Maltese Falcon has a draft of 36'10". From what I see on that chart I'm sure they come in at high tide, with great care and probably a local pilot. Remember, the charted depths are at mean lower low water.

yes that is the draft given on yacht spotter, but i doubt the draft is that deep.....because not even a cruise ship has such significant draught.

DK about cruise ships although I'd say it's close, but I remember the skipper of the Kennedy telling me they had a 47' draft. These numbers seem wild to a small boat captain like me, but they're real. Maltese Falcon has some tall masts and a lot of sail to counter so I'd believe the numbers.

Hi,

I think that is with the board down not up as it would normally be for docking.