Lifting Keel

[LaAventura]

Have a question regarding the basics of lifting keels on a sail boat

Is the lifting keel compartment always flooded with seawater?

How is dampness avoided in that lifting keel compartment and throughout the boat?

[Frankly]

Not sure exactly your definition of lifting keel, but on my center board the trunk is flooded and the lifting tube/ cable terminate in the lazarette. Even if terminated inside the living area, could easily be sealed. Still does not seem a problem with most sink drains.


Frankly

[roverhi]

Lifting keel boats like the Hobie 33 have the top of the keel well above the water line. The well is wet up to the water line at rest. Rough conditions can cause water to slop out of the well but they are dry in normal conditions. Seem to remember a cover that goes on the well when the keel is down to cut down on water slopping out.

Just to be sure that you are talking lifting keel, you mean a ballasted keel that lifts vertically. There is also ballasted swing keels that pivot on a pin into a well and Keel center board boats that have a lightly ballasted board that also pivots into a well in a shallow keel. In all cases the well is wet. If below the water line, there is a sealed run for the lifting cable.