Wing Keel?

[Cheechako]

There are quite a few around. They have proven to make a boat sail better for a given draft requirement. I can only guess that cost is the reason they arent more prevalent. Also internal ballast is not usualy used for winged keels and many prefer those boats.

[riggear]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

They don't work?

Then it must at least have given a phycological advantage to Australia II when Ben Lexcen's revolutionary designed yacht managed to snatch the cup away from the Americans after a winning streak spanning nearly 130 years

Yes, You are exactly right, Australia II was the impetus of the wing keel Fad. The next season all the boat builder's were marketing their versions at the Boat Shows LOL

The next cup 1987 in Perth the boats were all using Bulbs, some with small winglets.

Wing keels never really took off in the racing scene because they are not hydro dynamically efficient. They went the bulb, canting keel and now towards hydro foils.

Cruising boats should K.I.S.S.

[jeremiason]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

There are quite a few around. They have proven to make a boat sail better for a given draft requirement. I can only guess that cost is the reason they arent more prevalent. Also internal ballast is not usualy used for winged keels and many prefer those boats.

Maybe you are talking about racing boats...

But every major cruising sailboat on the market today, with wing keels, has internal ballast and usually about a 25-35% more weight than the standard fin keel.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by jeremiason

Maybe you are talking about racing boats...

But every major cruising sailboat on the market today, with wing keels, has internal ballast and usually about a 25-35% more weight than the standard fin keel.

Interesting, I had no idea. Any idea which ones? I Know the Bene's, Catalinas etc are bolt on.... gotta be pretty expensive to make a wing keel internal ballast.. multi part mold..? Or do you mean stuff bolted onto the outside of an encapsulated keel?

[DennisM]

I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours...



4,600 lbs. in that baby. Overall weight of boat 10k...

[jeremiason]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Interesting, I had no idea. Any idea which ones? I Know the Bene's, Catalinas etc are bolt on.... gotta be pretty expensive to make a wing keel internal ballast.. multi part mold..? Or do you mean stuff bolted onto the outside of an encapsulated keel?

They are poured lead bolted to the sole of the boat

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by jeremiason

They are poured lead bolted to the sole of the boat

are we confused about what internal ballast means?

[WillJacocks]

I have a 1990 Catalina Capri 16 with a wing keel. One advantage to this is trailerability over full fin keels. The Capri "Plan B" does not point well to wind, I have tried several times to see how high I can point to wind and the speed just drops off, no sail fluttering or loss of direction, it just goes really slow. I am guessing wing keel is not suitable for racing sailboats unless you have a specific environment for it.

[WillJacocks]

I also have a 1978 Ranger 28 that I am working on, it is a full fin keel and I am told that the previous owner faired it and made it to where it can point high and not loose any speed. He won many races with that boat at his local boat club. His ongoing joke is one time he had a crewmember kept telling him he was "luffing" (I guess that was what he said, I forgot) and kept doing this for a while on a race. Finally, one of the more experienced sailor said "It's not a Hunter!" and he didn't say that anymore. LOL

[SkiprJohn]

Luffing means that the fore edge (luff) of the jib or main is shaking. Has nothing to do with pointing but more to do with sail trim.
kind regards,

[eliems]

For the cruising I do in the Pacific NorthWest the wing keel on my Hunter 28 is fantastic! I get the best spots drawing just 3'9", haven't noticed any downside.

[WillJacocks]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Luffing means that the fore edge (luff) of the jib or main is shaking. Has nothing to do with pointing but more to do with sail trim.
kind regards,

Like I said, wasn't sure of what the word that was used. The Ranger 28 can actually point higher than Hunters which is what I was joking about.

[sailorboy1]

You all now ther are deep draft boats that have wing keels don't you?

My last boat had a MASSIVE wing and a shoal draft. It pointed higher than my current deep draft boat. But that wing did make a great anchor!

Having had both I would take a deep draft boat over a wing shoal draft. It just gives a better ride and stands up to gusts better and if the 1.5' ever makes a difference I was in the wrong place either way.

[jeremiason]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

are we confused about what internal ballast means?

I am confused.... I assume you mean Encapsulated Keels?

Sorry for the confusion

[jeremiason]

Originally Posted by Don L

You all now ther are deep draft boats that have wing keels don't you?

My last boat had a MASSIVE wing and a shoal draft. It pointed higher than my current deep draft boat. But that wing did make a great anchor!

Having had both I would take a deep draft boat over a wing shoal draft. It just gives a better ride and stands up to gusts better and if the 1.5' ever makes a difference I was in the wrong place either way.

Don in the Caribbean 1.5 feet makes all the difference!

In the San Blas Islands I was routinely anchoring in 8 feet of water and here in Charlotte Harbor Florida, even a 6 foot draught is borderline.

There are reasons for wing keels and the West coast of Florida and the Caribbean are a couple of examples.