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Would a Morgan 382 keel be ok in 4 ft (soft mud) at low tide?

P

phboujon

Philippe Boujon
It may seems like a stupid question, but bear with the rookie.

I am moving Calypso to Virginia. I was looking at possibly a small and rather cheap boatyard/marina (Mobjack Bay Marina, Mathews, VA), but located in shallow waters. The dockmaster had told me that the boat may sit on its keel during the winter lowest tide when the water height is then 4 ft. He said it was soft mud, so beside being stuck, it shouldn't be a problem if I am ok for not going sailing when that happens.

Now, because of the particular hollow keel of the Morgan 382, was I just inviting problems?

I decided against that marina for that reason, but I am second guessing myself because of the cost savings it would help me make that would go toward the refit of the boat.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Cheers
Philippe
http://sailing.mcabou.com
 
Why sit in mud? If you are not taking the boat out, who cases? Is the cost savings worth it? +vs-?
 
Well, $2200 saving over 10 months, it's a lot of boat refit, so I care. I forgot to mention that the low tide situation isn't year round, which is why it brings the trade off question.

Can a morgan 382 keels handle a grounding in soft mud, or is that something to avoid?
 
Phillipe,

Oconee (when she sits at a dock) lives at Matthews Point Marina in NC. The water is not quite deep enough and the mud is plenty deep and quite deep. Never had a problem even with regularly having to plow in and out.

Vic
 
Thanks Vic. That is what the dockmaster said, it's deep soft mud, and I would have to plow out or wait, but I wanted to check if a morgan was fine with that.

Thanks.
Philippe
 
Phillipe
That spot is in the East River. We've anchored in a few spots there and found the bottom to be firm mud or sand/mud mix. You might want to consider making up a lead line with some kind of heavy weight and line. Drop (slowly) it in at the slip and "feel" how firm the bottom is as the weight settles in the mud. If the bottom is firm, you will also feel it in the line. Also consider what kind of wave action the marina will be exposed to in the winter winds. Strongest will probably be NE is my quess, but you can check with locals on that.
Rick
 
Philippe
Oops, got your marina confused with Compass on the East River. Previous advice still valid, but knowledge of bottom type where you are considering is unknown to me.
Sorry
Rick
 
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