Fin keel or Full keel...

[lyl]

Originally Posted by cal40john

High performance boats get to a downwind destination faster by sailing on reaches rather than pointing directly downwind. Airflow attached to sails, make apparent wind, and more boat speed. Hobie Waves are slow enough that they wouldn't get to a downwind destination faster by reaching.

I wasn't thinking about your ultimate reason before. I would say that my keelboat experience was more directly relatable to sailing cruising cats than anything else. My only experience on cruising cats were charters I've done in the Caribbean on a Privilege 39 and a Kennex 445.

I am in the camp of having learned on dinghies that you are more likely to get a much better understanding of how to sail well that does transfer to most any other boat. So I think you starting with a dinghy is a good way to start.

I see what you mean. I think it's safe to say that a Wave will also do a good job for the purpose. I'll be sailing alone and won't ever race. I just want to learn and practice.

I have a few good options by far, dingies like O'Day Day Sailer, Sunfish, Laser, Hobie cats, and such. It seems as if whatever can be found in the used market around within the next few weeks will make the decision for me. So I'll wait and see.

[lyl]

Dear Moderators,

I've just realized that the poll is ending on 10-07-2021. Is there a way to change that date to, let's say, 05-05-2021?

Thanks.

[Pete7]

Done,

Pete

[Mike OReilly]

I'm really amazed the poll numbers are so close, and that "full" is leading. I thought the fin keel support way outweighed us full-keelers. Maybe not...

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I'm really amazed the poll numbers are so close, and that "full" is leading. I thought the fin keel support way outweighed us full-keelers. Maybe not...

hmmm not sure how much we want to read into that poll....

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Don C L

hmmm not sure how much we want to read into that poll....

What?!? Are you suggesting CF polls aren't 100% accurate ?

[VChild]

Originally Posted by Full

I'd like to hear a few thoughts based on experience...

I’d say my keel is pretty “full”.
Compared to lightweight fin keel boats I’ve chartered, here are some observations I’ve made:

Fin keel:

Very quick to accelerate up to hull speed (less resistance and usually lighter weight)
Less sail area (or less wind) needed to reach hull speed
Very high pointing ability
Quick, efficient tacking
More nimble especially at low speeds like in a marina
Very easy to steer in reverse

But,
More difficult to maintain a steady course in large or confused seas
Less comfortable motion offshore (tossed around more)



Full keel:

Very stable and comfortable motion offshore
Tracks a steady course very well in large or confused seas
Really in its prime offshore in higher winds
More forgiving and predictable with large gusts
More forgiving if grounded
More protection of the prop
Less sensitive to loading with gear and supplies due to its heavy displacement

But,
More sail area (or more wind) needed to reach hull speed
Generally points lower than fin keel but not bad (some full keelers are better than others)
Very difficult and unpredictable steering in reverse
Sluggish turning at very slow speeds like in a marina



With a full keel it should be noted that:

Poor steering in reverse can be overcome by spinning in place using prop walk.

Sluggish turning at very low speeds can be overcome using prop walk and careful planning.

Steering, at least on my boat, is excellent at 3 knots and faster due to a large rudder.

Slower acceleration to hull speed does not mean a slower hull speed - you just need more sail area or more wind to reach hull speed - a bowsprit, which allows a much larger headsail partially compensates by increasing the sail area / displacement ratio

Example - My boat needs just over 15 knots of wind on the beam to reach hull speed (8+ knots) in medium chop on a bay with a huge 130 genoa.

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by Full

I'd like to hear a few thoughts based on experience...

Long fin plus skeg

[Motorsailer4me]

The full keel on our current motorsailer has a couple advantages I don't think have been mentioned yet. It tends to lay straight into the wind at anchor (no current) vs. our previous fin keeler that would sail around at anchor like crazy especially in gusty conditions. Also when coming into the dock in windy conditions the same lack of maneuverability others have talked about keeps it from blowing sideways as much. The bow thruster definitely helps with docking.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by HeinSdL

OMG, the full keelers are winning the poll! Never will we hear the end of this... Hopefully it won't become like the brexity "You lost now get over it!" mantra!

How much should you consider apoll that has 57 votes and flies in the face of what you can see looking outside. Right now while anchored in the Bahamas I can look outside and see 6 anchored boas, not of whch is a full heeler old school boat.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

How much should you consider apoll that has 57 votes and flies in the face of what you can see looking outside. Right now while anchored in the Bahamas I can look outside and see 6 anchored boas, not of whch is a full heeler old school boat.

Ach.. Day sailers making a mini hop across the water..

[Midwesterner]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

.......My personal preference would be a modified fin with decent skeg (and skeg-hung rudder).

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/rafiki-37

Yes, that's what I went with. She sails beautifully.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

How much should you consider apoll that has 57 votes and flies in the face of what you can see looking outside. Right now while anchored in the Bahamas I can look outside and see 6 anchored boas, not of whch is a full heeler old school boat.

I'm in "popular" anchorage in the middle of the Indian Ocean. All boats well into some portion of a circumnavigation. Total of 4 cruising boats, 2 cats, 1 beneteau and us. No classics. The Benetau is part way through circumnavigation number two, single handed.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Paul L

I'm in "popular" anchorage in the middle of the Indian Ocean. All boats well into some portion of a circumnavigation. Total of 4 cruising boats, 2 cats, 1 beneteau and us. No classics. The Benetau is part way through circumnavigation number two, single handed.

Speaking of classics and the Indian Ocean, this guy passed through there a few years ago on his Classic $1,000 Bristol 27.

https://svcrystalblues.blogspot.com/...ne-around.html

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Speaking of classics and the Indian Ocean, this guy passed through there a few years ago on his Classic $1,000

Yep, one out of probably 300 boats in that year.