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Gooosberry · 05-09-2011, 11:27

After seeing so many yachts dried out - sitting on their keels, I was surprised to be asked by the boat yard "can your boat sit on her keel?".

Can anyone identify what would prevent a yacht sitting on its keel?

SabreKai · 05-09-2011, 11:38

Not much that I can think of. Surface area of the keel bottom vs weight, can the ground support that foot print? Planking under the keel would fix that problem. Is the keel parallel to the waterline? Mine isn't. I need about 12-14 inches of blocking under the bow end to hold her level on the ground which changes the pressure on the ground.

The only thing I can think of which would prevent sitting on the keel would be an articulated keel like the Volvo Maxis. Their keels pivot from side to side. All of those I've see out of the water sit on special stands so the keel is free to swing for maintenance. at least thats how they appeared on screen.

David_Old_Jersey · 05-09-2011, 11:39

If you have only 1 keel then obviously you will need to be leaning against something or have legs fitted (or if ashore well braced)............or she will lie horizontally

(depending on the boat design not a problem - just a PITA to put the kettle on

).

In addition would want to consider the keel type and balance point of the vessel, otherwise can end up pointing into the mud (or sky!), albeit a bit of weight re-distribution can help.

Also rudder size / design - don't want the weight of the boat on the rudder, unless designed to (some are).

If the boat has bilge (or triple keels) then life is easy

......albeit if on a drying mooring (with GRP faced Keels) makes sense to fit a keel band to save the keel(s) from grinding away, old days was a steel bar - nowadays glassed on "stuff" off the shelf.

**Jim Cate** · 05-09-2011, 12:21

Well, I have seen some recent production boats (and some older ones as well) whose hulls distorted noticeably when on the hard. For yard personnel, this means use of more Acro stands and more care in location for safe standing. It may preclude slipping them on a railway where the whole weight of the boat is placed on the keel.

The balance issue can be awkward as well, and foreknowledge may avert an embarrassing situation.

Cheers,,

Jim

s/v Moondancer · 05-09-2011, 13:20

In the UK boats are allowed to sit on their keels while tied to a wall and the tide is all the way out. Marinas have concrete 'drying pads' where you tie up and work on the bottom or the prop while the tide is out.

However, to be able to do this the boat has to be able to rest it's entire weight on the keel without pushing the keel through the hull or snapping a very narrow fin keel.

s/v Moondancer · 05-09-2011, 13:24

Now how do you get the pics icon to work?

barnakiel · 05-09-2011, 13:26

a soft woodie cannot if the keel is short

a canting keel racer cannot

just examples

b.

justlearnin · 05-09-2011, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

............or she will lie horizontally

(depending on the boat design not a problem - just a PITA to put the kettle on

).
.

The head would also be, well "challenging"

avb3 · 05-09-2011, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

a soft woodie cannot if the keel is short

Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is not to make an untoward comment about this?

Shiner · 05-09-2011, 23:29

I have worked hauling out boats at our Marina for eight years and this is always the first question we ask.
Swing, hydraulic, and wind up fan keels all present different problems and some fin keels cause stress to the hull.
We run a "Railway" system and often have to "hang" a boat on slings in the cradle. Hope this helps.
PS. "Barnaciel" we are lucky enough not to have any "soft Woodies" in this part of the world! We ARE talking about boats....right?

markpierce · 05-09-2011, 23:54

A long, straight keel makes life easier.

Gooosberry · 06-09-2011, 01:10

Many thanks to you all - I had to laugh at some of the comments - but the lift out is now in progress, so thanks.

kolbywhite28 · 06-09-2011, 02:04

The keels must be strong enough to support the yachts so that it can stand on it's own.

simonmd · 06-09-2011, 03:08

The yard will normaly ask to cover themselves. 99% of pleasure craft can easily stand on their keels, only the specialist racing stuff need more carefull handling.