WA: Bunbury and Return Ocean Race: Finistere (Davidson 50)

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by nayu

...just an uneducated query here...why do the keels have to be bolted on boats......old fashion encapsulated keels would solve all this drama...

Basically, it comes down to cost. It's easier and thus cheaper to transport a new boat overland or by ship with it's keel off.

[GTom]

Originally Posted by nayu

...just an uneducated query here...why do the keels have to be bolted on boats......old fashion encapsulated keels would solve all this drama...

A long encapsulated keel won't fall off and invert the boat in 1-2 seconds, that's true. Neither will a well supported keel hanging on a dozen healthy bolts.

The keel of the Davidson 50 looks like this, unfortunately I couldn't find any info on the number of bolts:




The fiberglass bottom doesn't seem to be reinforced though (no stub)

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by nayu

...just an uneducated query here...why do the keels have to be bolted on boats......old fashion encapsulated keels would solve all this drama...

My 1930s designed wooden long keel Vertue had a bolted on keel.....

Encapsulated keels are new fangled non sense .... and only appeared when they started building yachts out of dried snot and bandages....

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

...........
Encapsulated keels are new fangled non sense .... and only appeared when they started building yachts out of dried snot and bandages....

I was refraining from stating this but since you have, I can but concur

Although it must be remembered that steel boats have used the "encapsulated" concept for some time also - but bolts are the original method!