Fin Keels - Skeg Hung Rudders - Full Keels

[theonecalledtom]

Except when close hauled my full keel goes faster than many (most?) similarly sized coastal cruisers finnies seen around San Diego. Mainly because their owners don't seem to know what they are doing....

[keelbolts]

I guess I'm w/ SaltMonkey on his order of preference. I now have a boat w/ the rudder just hanging out there and it's OK on the Chesapeake Bay, but, from a structural standpoint, the idea of my rudder just sticking out the bottom of my boat on a shaft would worry me if I were half way to Bermuda. Speed is good, but on a long trip I think comfort, stability, and strength are better. There are going to be many opinions, but remember we sail the same ocean men have sailed for centuries and more. Computer design is all well and good, but what have men trusted their lives to in the past?

[zeehag]

spade rudders can be ok--is a matter of what it you hit and just how hard ye hit it,,and what situation is it under wthey been used many decades now--- what year is yours?

[SaltyMonkey]

spades can be stronger and safer than a skeg. yes, safer. If a skeg breaks off you get a nice BIG hole.

Spades are fine. You should always carry a spare backup rudder anyway no matter what boat.

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by keelbolts

...There are going to be many opinions, but remember we sail the same ocean men have sailed for centuries and more. Computer design is all well and good, but what have men trusted their lives to in the past?

Well, I wouldn't want to put to sea in most of the things men have trusted their lives to in the past. They didn't have the choice! I think I'm more than a little bit safer in my fin keel, spade rudder Niagara 35 than in one of Eric the Red's open longboats! Have you seen the freeboard on those things??

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by keelbolts

I guess I'm w/ SaltMonkey on his order of preference. I now have a boat w/ the rudder just hanging out there and it's OK on the Chesapeake Bay, but, from a structural standpoint, the idea of my rudder just sticking out the bottom of my boat on a shaft would worry me if I were half way to Bermuda. Speed is good, but on a long trip I think comfort, stability, and strength are better. There are going to be many opinions, but remember we sail the same ocean men have sailed for centuries and more. Computer design is all well and good, but what have men trusted their lives to in the past?

Let's see ... sailing by the stars, square sails, wooden hulls and spars, hemp rope, stones for ballast, ... anything appeal to you yet?

[Khagan1227]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

spades can be stronger and safer than a skeg. yes, safer. If a skeg breaks off you get a nice BIG hole.

Spades are fine. You should always carry a spare backup rudder anyway no matter what boat.

I agree, but the wiseman not only carries it, he knows how to install it, otherwise it is ballast.

I've always wondered how many people carry an emergency rudder, and out of that number, how many have actually tried to use it before it became an emergency.

[keelbolts]

Actually Doodles, sailing by the stars, square sails, wooden hulls and spars appeal to me fine. Hemp rope & stones for ballast don't do as much for me. I guess you could smoke the rope...

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by keelbolts

Actually Doodles, sailing by the stars, square sails, wooden hulls and spars appeal to me fine. Hemp rope & stones for ballast don't do as much for me. I guess you could smoke the rope...

ever steer by using your sails instead of the rudder?/is a good safety measure......

[SaltyMonkey]

thats assuming you have a sail AHA!!!

[zeehag]

AHA!!!!
was wondering where ye was...
powerboat would be difficult to steer via sails.... hopefully they are still on boat....i have spares.....some....lil small sails...

[SaltyMonkey]

thats assuming you have an injin! AHA!!!!!

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

thats assuming you have an injin! AHA!!!!!

rofl--is also assuming there is a boat.......

[captain58sailin]

I think seafood chowder is best, lots of bits of fried bacon, clams, halibut,shrimp, & salmon mmmm! Of course with a cream base. Sounds real good on a blustery day anchored up in the cove somewheres.

[daddle]

There's some safety in fin keels and spade rudders....that you can escape bad situations much faster...not sit and get clobbered. Or get down the California coast in three days instead of being exposed for 5 or more.