East Coast Sailer 0 Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 Looking at buying a Raven 31 as I need a reasonably shallow boat to get over a riverbar. Various sites have the draft at 1.52m, 1.6m and 1.67m. The owners group site has both 1.52m and 1.67m. There are no mentions of keel options. I don't want to have to pay for a haul to find out the boat is deeper draft than expected. Can anyone confirm the draft of a Raven 31? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrytom 642 Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 https://www.ravenyachts.com/raven31.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aardvarkash10 954 Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 15cm difference in draft is less than the depth difference between tides at the same phase. It should be immaterial to your choice. For instance, Matiatia today will be 0.28m above datum @ low tide. By Saturday, it's 0.57m. 30cm difference. Add some wave motion and 15cm means next to nothing - waiting 20 minutes perhaps. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScarecrowR31 8 Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 My raven 31 was 1.52. Measured on cradle Quote Link to post Share on other sites
East Coast Sailer 0 Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 Thank you scarecrow. Did you enjoy your 31? I am moving to a family cruiser after a Elliott 7.4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chariot 242 Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 Have you thought about a Lotus 9.2. Just as much volume and a little more performance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScarecrowR31 8 Posted March 22, 2022 Share Posted March 22, 2022 Hi ECS, Loved the Raven. Stern is outstanding as love sailing, fishing Diving etc. Always felt safe, even took her round the North Island via the Three Kings. Only change would be a bigger rig as she is a big volume boat and sticky in the light. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
East Coast Sailer 0 Posted March 22, 2022 Author Share Posted March 22, 2022 Talking of the rig, do you know the rig height (air draft). I occasionally tuck under a 12m MHWS bridge. The Raven is slightly too tall. The Lotus 9.2 is nice but the family liked the Raven 31 more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
East Coast Sailer 0 Posted March 22, 2022 Author Share Posted March 22, 2022 On 21/03/2022 at 3:03 PM, aardvarkash10 said: 15cm difference in draft is less than the depth difference between tides at the same phase. It should be immaterial to your choice. For instance, Matiatia today will be 0.28m above datum @ low tide. By Saturday, it's 0.57m. 30cm difference. Add some wave motion and 15cm means next to nothing - waiting 20 minutes perhaps. It matters if past the bar its only 1.5-2m deep in the anchoring area in the river behind. 1.52m is at the limit Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cameron 74 Posted March 22, 2022 Share Posted March 22, 2022 Draft can be reduced by unloading all the extra crap that inevitably build up onboard! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aardvarkash10 954 Posted March 22, 2022 Share Posted March 22, 2022 8 hours ago, East Coast Sailer said: It matters if past the bar its only 1.5-2m deep in the anchoring area in the river behind. 1.52m is at the limit Yeah I get that. We draw 1.7 and our river entrance is 0.8 datum at its shallowest point. My point still stands. If 15cm in draft is too close for comfort and leaves you no margin for error, you have a problem with either keel. Nice boat though! I'd be happy in one. Lots of room, safe, look ok. Might be a bit slow but it's for cruising not racing and so again the performance difference is marginal. good luck with your decision-making. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
khayyam 68 Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 14 hours ago, East Coast Sailer said: Talking of the rig, do you know the rig height (air draft). I occasionally tuck under a 12m MHWS bridge. The Raven is slightly too tall. I'd think anything of that size would be tight. The raven is already a "modest" rig. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScarecrowR31 8 Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 Ravens problem wasnt height of rig but it being a true 3/4 rig. Combine this with a furler and a little small up front. However does make it a great family boat. Forard berth and heads are huge, great locker that fits EVERYTHING and a scoop thats big enough to store a 2.5m inflatable sideways. Off the wind in any real wind, rocky steady with speeds 8-10knots consistent. Upwind a bit low and slow. If you point up too high goes sideways so trim for not quiet eased and point a little low..VMG then OK My 5 cents worth Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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