Minimum water level and draft on 1900XR

[Guitarguru72]

Hi all,

Maybe this has probably been covered in depth before (ha ha), but I am starting to look at some waterfront properties. Some of these have the MLW in their listings am I'm not sure what a minimum acceptable water level would be for my 1900XR. It seems like 2.5-3' would be just enough to safely troll out to the deeper areas, but wanted to get some experienced suggestions before I start seriously pairing down my potentials. What say you?

[mmwjr]

The draft of my 2400 SCR with the drive down is 3.5 feet so I would expect a 1900 would be around 3 feet. Measure from the waterline to the bottom of the skeg with the drive down.

[Guitarguru72]

MMWJR, appreciate the info. The properties I'm looking at are way down the Northern Neck, so wouldn't have the opportunity to actually drop in the water to measure. Just wanted to get a baseline of sorts. Thanks again.

[mmwjr]

What I meant was to determine the draft of your boat measure from the water line on the hull to the bottom of the drive. Not much sense measuring the actual water this time of the years as the tides are typically much lower in the winter.

[Guitarguru72]

Well, a smart guy would have checked that, but that sure ain't me! I fell upon this boat and rebuilt it over the last few months, and buffed the gel coat out so there is no visible water line showing now. As soon as I finish the lower unit, I'll be taking it out to a lake for a test run of everything so I'll check it then.

As for the property, the aerial photography shows two power boats docked there, so it should be sufficient, at least in the summer months (when it really matters). Thanks again.

[mmwjr]

The water at my pier typically ranges from 3-4 feet so not uncommon to kick up some silt. The bottom is about 18 inches of soft muck. The only downside is the raw water pump gets scored up and requires replacement when I do the impeller every two years. The main channel of my creek is deeper it’s just skinny water when I get a boats length off the pier. Hopefully the place your looking at is similar or better.

[shrew]

I'd expect the draft on that boat to be around 2 feet of less. I found one spec that said 1' 8".

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by shrew

I'd expect the draft on that boat to be around 2 feet of less. I found one spec that said 1' 8".

Sounds like the draft with the drive up not down.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Sounds like the draft with the drive up not down.

You're probably right. The spec didn't specify. It' a 19 ft runabout. I doubt it will be 3.5' either. Splitting the difference will get you within inches, most likely.

As mentioned, measuring in the water will be the best way. The other thing to consider is that if there is a boot stripe of some kind it will be above water, as will the swim platform. That should get you within inches as well.

If the difference between floating through and touching bottom is 6 inches, it's already too close in my opinion.

[mmwjr]

I looked at the spec sheet for a 1993 Sea Ray 200 bowrider I used to have and it lists its draft at 33” with the drive fully down. I would expect this Maxum to be close to that.