adding bilge plates

[baggypipes]

we got our catamaran up for sale & will be looking for a twin or triple keel motor sailer but they seem to be few & far between.
So is it possible to fit bilge plates to a long keel boat? if so where would i get some made & fitted?
many thanks

 

[Tranona]

A Seadog will meet your requirements. Also many Colvic type motor sailors were fitted with bilge plates.

The reason they are few and far between is that sailing performance gets compromised - although the Seadog in particular has a fine reputation for both seakeeping and adequate sailing ability. Another boat you may consider is a MG designed boat such as a a Lone Gull or particularly a Tidewater, but these are wood and a bit old fashioned. One or two for sale recently have been really good quality.

If ability to dry out is an issue you are probably better of with a long keel and legs.

I have an MG Eventide which was originally long keel and bilge plates and was transformed when I took the plates off and deepened the keel.

 

[baggypipes]

pm sent

 

[oldharry]

Any metalworking shop can make them up for you. Make a mock up out of cheap plywood, and they can cut the steel plate and weld it all up for you.

What youy then have to be very careful to do is to ensure the hull is strong enough to take the not inconsiderable twisting and thrust loads they can be subjected to when you take the ground - particularly accidentally! Usually this will involve building additional reinforcewment inside the hull to spread the load fairly back to the main keel, and out beyind the bilge plates so that if she gets pounded on the bottom they dont come up through the hull, and ensuring they can not be wrenched off if she is held on a bilge plate sideways against several knots of current!

But it is usually much better and easier to get a boat that already has them as the hull will have been designed with these loadings in mind.

 

[Malish]

a Barbican 33 might also fit the bill - long keel + many fitted with bilge plates

 

[pampas]

Used to be 1/2 owner in the 1st Barbican 33 to be fitted this way, the only down side was that in slight sea1s you could feel her nodding gently. great compremise, sad to sell her.

 

[retsina]

Have you considered a Macwester Wight 32", twin keel, central cockpit?. Excellent value for money, a lot of space, wheel helm; go anywhere sailer.