Draft

Draft is the vertical distance from a vessel’s waterline to the lowest part of its hull, usually the bottom of the keel, rudder, propeller, or drive leg. It indicates the minimum water depth needed for the boat to float safely, allowing for suitable under-keel clearance.

Knowing your draft is essential when entering harbours, crossing bars, choosing anchorages, or navigating shallow channels. Compare it with soundings referenced to Chart Datum, allow for tide height, and consider the effect of load, heel, and sea state. A deep Keel improves sailing performance but can restrict access, while strong Tidal Current may reduce margin in confined water.

PredictWind tidal charts, tidal stream maps, and Departure Planning help assess whether there will be enough depth and a favourable window for a planned route. For offshore cruisers, draft should also be considered in Weather Routing when selecting safe approaches, refuges, and alternate ports.