Draft question

C

CurrentObsession

New Member
Oct 25, 2017
12
Lake St Clair, Michigan
Boat Info
1998 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer
Classic tri-axle trailer
Engines
Twin 5.7 EFI/ Alpha 1
Looking to upgrade from our 1998 290DA to a 380DA. According to the archived spec sheets on SEARAY.com the difference in draft is:

1998-1999 32"
2000 44"
2001-2002 40"

Could 2000 be a published mistake?

It seems odd that it jumps around so much for a 4 year period as all other specs are the same.

The difference makes a big difference for us as we spend 90% of our boating time bumpered up in the shallows with friends.

Thanks
Steve
 
I doubt it's a mistake. The hull designs and length/model designation are all over the map as they change the lineup.

A late 90's 380 probably won't be an ideal shallow-water boat. Particularly when (I believe) they will be 100% V-Drive.
 
For what it's worth my '97 400 has 40" draft. I'd expect the 98-99 380 would have less than 40" since that would be the same model family my boat is a part of.
 
Keep in mind that manufacturer specs are for a new boat, unloaded. A boat that is a few years old and loaded up with personal items, fuel, and water may sit lower in the water.
 
My 2000 240 SeaRay has a 40" draft.
 
CurrentObsession said:
Looking to upgrade from our 1998 290DA to a 380DA. According to the archived spec sheets on SEARAY.com the difference in draft is:

1998-1999 32"
2000 44"
2001-2002 40"

Could 2000 be a published mistake?

It seems odd that it jumps around so much for a 4 year period as all other specs are the same.

The difference makes a big difference for us as we spend 90% of our boating time bumpered up in the shallows with friends.

Thanks
Steve
Click to expand...

Steve, our 2000 380 Owner's Manual shows 44", but I would agree with Stee6043 above that the 380 is likely less than his 40" (interestingly, if you look at ads on BoatTrader, draft ranges from 3.33ft to 3.67 ft). Regardless, my personal "pucker" depth is around 5-6ft of water, allowing for typical Lake MI 1-2ft waves which we anchor in. Theoretically giving me room to move up and down yet not smack the bottom with my props/rudders. Note: I have anchored in 4ft when waves are calm to a foot and not hit bottom. So, it might depend on your definition of "shallow". Not sure if my rambling helps, but that's my $0.02.
 
CurrentObsession said:
Looking to upgrade from our 1998 290DA to a 380DA. According to the archived spec sheets on SEARAY.com the difference in draft is:

1998-1999 32"
2000 44"
2001-2002 40"

Could 2000 be a published mistake?

It seems odd that it jumps around so much for a 4 year period as all other specs are the same.

The difference makes a big difference for us as we spend 90% of our boating time bumpered up in the shallows with friends.

Thanks
Steve
Click to expand...
Maybe out drive vs V-drive?
 
it will be helpful to know what your concern is with draft. My 380 seems to start pushing mud at around 3 ft. My slip can get down to 3 to 4 ft and the boat's still rocking/moving and I'm not pushing mud when running the engines.
 
NespoJoe said:
Steve, our 2000 380 Owner's Manual shows 44", but I would agree with Stee6043 above that the 380 is likely less than his 40" (interestingly, if you look at ads on BoatTrader, draft ranges from 3.33ft to 3.67 ft). Regardless, my personal "pucker" depth is around 5-6ft of water, allowing for typical Lake MI 1-2ft waves which we anchor in. Theoretically giving me room to move up and down yet not smack the bottom with my props/rudders. Note: I have anchored in 4ft when waves are calm to a foot and not hit bottom. So, it might depend on your definition of "shallow". Not sure if my rambling helps, but that's my $0.02.
Click to expand...

Is your depth gauge setup to read "depth of water" vs depth from the bottom of the boat? I thought the most common setup is depth from the bottom/hull. I start to get anxious when mine goes below 5' and mine is shooting "from the bottom"...
 
Roger K Sterling said:
My 2000 240 SeaRay has a 40" draft.
Click to expand...

You may want to double check that. I couldn't find a 240 but a 2000 260DA has a 22" draft with the drives up. 40" draft would be wicked deep on a 240 IMO.

upload_2023-4-22_9-34-59.png
 
Stee6043 said:
Is your depth gauge setup to read "depth of water" vs depth from the bottom of the boat? I thought the most common setup is depth from the bottom/hull. I start to get anxious when mine goes below 5' and mine is shooting "from the bottom"...
Click to expand...
Stee, my transducer is mounted in the bottom of the hull (like yours probably), so my comments are based on depth from bottom - thus my "pucker" comment :)
 
CurrentObsession said:
I don't believe 380 ever came with I/Os
Click to expand...
I think you’re right, in the cruiser era for sure. There was a newer 370 in my winter storage building with twin 600HP Mercs. Biggest damn bow rider I ever stepped foot on. I wondered if those twins are thirsty like my 7.4’s? I think those OB’s can push that boat close to 60 mph. The draft on it is 29” with out drives up.
 
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