What type of keel do you prefer?

[Polux]

Originally Posted by Dick Moby

Here's an interesting Design. I am told it is NOT called "Bilge Keels" but rather "Twin Keels" as it was designed by a man named Riverdale for performance and not standing upright.
Apologies in advance if the link don't work - me and computers don't get along real good.

Many French boats use that type of keel that is probably the best solution to reduce draft (out of swing or lifting ones) with a minimum loss in performance. It is for that they are used and to provide a beaching solution:

[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by Polux

one of these:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=_ECyNsXa_Fw

and it is not the type of the one on my sailboat ;-)

An interesting article by Dufour on keels. They use the same type of keel on all the boats, performance cruisers and cruisers. Never lost one that I know off.
Dufour Insider: Keels | DUFOUR YACHTS

Polux, it seems that our tastes run along the same lines. As that boat, & her siblings, are some of my faves. Well aside from the atrocious astetics, & horrid use of the space belowdecks.
I'm actually on their mailing list. LOL

Marc Lombard draws some sweet boats, or so they seem via his website.

[Jim Cate]

Fin keels are sporty but not durable.

Left Brain, I'm really surprised to hear you, a self professed engineer, to make such a sweeping and unsupported statement.

IMO, a well designed and built fin can be just as durable as any other sort of keel, be it bolt on or encapsulated. And a poorly designed traditional long keel can have difficulties too.

After all, there are literally tens of thousands of now elderly fin keel boats sailing about the world... with their keels still intact. They seem to me to outweigh the Cheeky Rafiki's of the world by a pretty large margin.

Jim

[tdoster]

More importantly, do you prefer blondes, brunettes or red heads?


I prefer any keel that is currently attached to a boat. I am not too fond of the ones lying around the yard, and even less keen for the ones on the bottom of the ocean no longer attached to the boat.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by leftbrainstuff

I personally wouldn't touch a bolt on keel for a blue water cruiser. // Fin keels are sporty but not durable.

Finally - I've been sitting here with my ready way too long

[Rustic Charm]

My keel just happened to come with the boat and i paid no attention to the type. Im pleased its a keel (modified full i think) that protects the rudder and prop.

So, as for keels i dont like, im not keen on bolt on's as ive seen too many up on the slip with cracks from movement. And im not keen on ones that leave the rudder or rudder stock stuck out on its own for just about anything and everything to snag on it.

As im intending to be a cruiser, im thinking full keels hold course better?

[Reefmagnet]

Keel selection no doubt is influenced by use of the boat. My perspective centres around cruising in bommie strewn and sometimes remote areas. After seeing the results of a 40+ foot bolt on a fin keeler that hit a reef at speed (and then gone over the subsequent repair with a fine tooth comb), I became convinced never to consider a boat with a bolt on keel ever(*). Having owned a (older) boat in the past with a spade rudder and having had been worried every time we were out of sight of shore that it was either going to break away or otherwise fall out, I've never been able to consider these again either. But that's more me and my thinking then any dump on the design I guess. I ultimately prefer an encapsulated modified long fin keel with cutaway forefoot (for little other reason than to help it to ride up over things it runs aground on) and skeg rudder. I feel this gives the best compromise of tracking, performance and draught for a cruising boat.

(*) I've read bolt on cast lead keels can absorb shock loading in a hard grounding which results in no overstress at the attachment point and the dented lead is easily repaired. If this is the case, these could be a bolt on exception.

[bailsout]

What DonCL says, because no keel is finer than that of a Columbia 29!

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Curious Sailor

With all of the different types of keels available, I'm curious as to which are the most popular.... What type of keel do you prefer and why?

For what intended use?

For example, my H33 has a deep narrow fin. Great for racing and day sailing, but would not want that for cruising.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by bailsout

because no keel is finer than that of a Columbia 29!

Well ... nice as that keel is, have you seen the sexy lil fin the O29 sports?

[Sandero]

I am OK with mine... shallower draft would be better for obvious reasons. I like that the keel has a huge thick flange on it set into a pocket and the bolts are off the center line for more strength. Fully skegged rudder won't be falling off either. Note the fully encased prop shaft as well... another good idea.

This hull was offered with deep fin, shoal and wing.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by Curious Sailor

With all of the different types of keels available, I'm curious as to which are the most popular.... What type of keel do you prefer and why?

One that's attached to the boat. (Just a little Beneteau joke there...)

[brianlara 3]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

One that's attached to the boat. (Just a little Beneteau joke there...)

People died on that Bennie.

[MarkSF]

Oh, give me a break.

[brianlara 3]

That WAS....giving you a break.....reeel gentle.
And nuh, not going further with this.....enough flack already. Caio.