Depth for Keys and Bahamas

[rancher44]

I am considering a boat that has a 5'6" draft . How would this work in the keys and Bahamas ??
Also I have been trying to decide between a cat and mono hull 40' to 45' range
I have sailed on lakes for about 30 tears and bare boated in the Carib off St JOHN 'S . I was wondering about a good school to attend to hone my "Skills " if I have any . I watched some of the videos of boats doing crazy things and want to avoid those situations .
My boating experience has been with several 18' cats 3 sail boats around 24' and presently own a 28'. I have sailed a bare boated a 40'
Any input would greatly help
Thanks

[neilpride]

I make Bahamas several times with my 6.6 draft, with carefull planing and caution you dont have problems, never touch the bottom in Bahamas , with a Cata the options to navigate shallow banks and found remote shallow anchorages increase, if the Keys and Bahamas are going to be your sailing areas goo for the Cata if draft is a worry for you, between 5 and 6 ft draft are fine for Bahamas , im not sure in the Keys, Bahamas are awesome, enjoy!!!

[Hudson Force]

I think the 5'6" draft could suit you well in the Bahamas and the Keys. It's easy enough to look at the charts and see what areas would be unavailable to you. Everyone, regardless of their draft, has limitations and they tend to approach these. With the 5'6" draft most of the "bayside" of the Keys would be unavailble, but then most of this area is not possible with a 5' draft either.

[pete33458]

I sail these areas frequently, and I would that 5-1/2' is the practical upper limit, ESPECIALLY in the Keys (not so much in the Bahamas), for passaging many of the channels without waiting for a dead high tide. I have 4'11", and I still have to avoid the low at most locations other than the major ones (Govt Cut, Biscayne Channel, etc). pete