light draft

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. the draft of a vessel at its light displacement.

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Etymology

Origin of light draft

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Sarah Carmean, who enjoyed a light draft at Boomtown, lamented with service-industry employees missing tips or hours.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2025

Loch Erne is, as has been already stated, thirty-five miles long, and is navigable, or could with very little expense be made navigable, for light draft steam-boats all that distance.

From Beauties and Antiquities of Ireland by Russell, T. O.

In the meantime, the light draft Russian gun-boats came down the river, and began to fire shell and shot at a long range at the small town and fortifications of Sulina.

From Sketches From My Life By The Late Admiral Hobart Pasha by Hobart-Hampden, Augustus Charles

He was impressed at first glance by the beautiful lines of the little vessel, which was evidently of light draft so she might cruise safely in shallow waters, while capable of weathering a storm-tossed sea.

From When the Cock Crows by Baily, Waldron

A small fleet of armed frigates drawing a light draft was to cruise off the western coasts, and to watch those dangerous islands whence issued the long war-galleys of the Macdonalds and the Macleans.

From Claverhouse by Morris, Mowbray