Swing Keel

[Jennybug]

I just joined the site today and I have a burning question.

What are your thoughts regarding a swing keel? We are looking at a 1975 52' with a swing keel that goes from 5 1/2' - 11'

Comments, concerns, suggestions are welcome

Thanks!
Jennybug

[rleslie]

We have a swing keel on our Brewer 42 (5' - 9.5'). In moderate to heavy seas we love it. It allows us to keep more sails up and makes the boat feel like it's riding on rails, even in quartering seas. The swing keel also allows us to point higher. How your boat handles totally depends on the design.

On the down side: the attachment that secures the cable to the keel recently broke and I had to dive under to rig a second line to retract the keel. But the boat is 25 years old and it was the original attachment.

What boat are you considering?

[Jennybug]

We are looking at a 1975 Morgan Out-island 51' cutter.

[Alan Wheeler]

There are some major pluses. Like as I understand it, 11' is not going to allow to sail much of the Carribean waters, so being able to lift it would be a major bonus.
But there are negatives. It adds a little more complexity to the boat, which equates to more maintenance and expense. So you have to weigh up what you want to do and where you want to go.

[Maren]

Originally Posted by Alan Wheeler

But there are negatives. It adds a little more complexity to the boat, which equates to more maintenance and expense. So you have to weigh up what you want to do and where you want to go.

I met a guy with a ... I think it was a Morgan last summer. He glassed in his keel so that it would always be up. He also said he didn't notice that much of a difference.

[Jennybug]

Our major concern is leaking. We feel as though it would be a fragile part of the boat & Lord knows we don't want a leak.

The price has our full attention and if it were in Texas we would be on our way to inspect it now.

Thanks everyone!!
Jen

[rleslie]

Originally Posted by Jennybug

Our major concern is leaking. We feel as though it would be a fragile part of the boat & Lord knows we don't want a leak.

The only area that would be subject to leaking will be where the cable used to raise & lower penetrates the hull.

Alan mentioned maintenance. If you replace the cable and inspect the attachments (which I didn't) when you purchase it, you should have years of trouble free use.

The previous owner of our boat had the board secured so that it could not be lowered and I have heard of others who have done the same. IMHO, they are not utilizing a major feature of their boats. The sail performance is significantly better with the board down for us.

If everything else about the boat is what you are looking for, consider the swing keel as one more plus.

[Tempest245]

This is my second swing keel vessel. The swing allows me to get into places that I couldn't reach with a deeper draft vessel. It lets me point higher to the wind and eases weather helm when it's down. I'd never seal it in. I've used it as an early warning system, in shoal waters..( if I feel the board bump I can hopefully stop the boat in time to prevent a grounding.)
I visually inspect the cable every year. It can be annoying in a seaway because it bumps around in its slot and can keep me awake on my offwatch....but I'm happy overall.