Any good animations of why a canting keel works

[tudorsailor]

Obviously I understand why a canting keel is an advantage! However, trying to explain it to a non-sailor is tricky. I have had a quick google but surprisingly, I cannot readily find a nice animation to show why having the keel to windward is an advantage
Anyone know of a good pictorial explanation?
Thanks
TudorSailor

 

[johnalison]

It didn't take much effort to google "canting keel video".

This is short and sweet

 

[guernseyman]

One of my sons is in Dubai, sailing a Melges 40 with a canting keel (www.melges40.com).
A snip at $650,000.

 

[mjcoon]

A few years ago there was an article about a novel design of yacht in which the mast and keel were both mounted on a ring around the hull that rotated. Or, if you like, the hull was gimballed in the rig. This is partially like a canting keel...

I believe it was actually built, but I don't know if the horizontal hull (as if a catamaran) was considered worth the complexity. And of course you lose any form stability of the hull; it might as well be cylindrical! (Edit: that refers just to sailing "stiffness". For comfort and safety you need the hull to remain upright and the rudder to remain in the water!)

Mike.

 

[davidej]

Its the same reason why motorcycle racers hang right out of their saddles while cornering -to keep the bike as upright as possible

 

[LittleSister]

For comfort you need the hull to remain upright

Not necessarily. There was at least one Victorian yacht with a conventional hull, inside which the whole cabin was gimballed!

 

[mjcoon]

Not necessarily. There was at least one Victorian yacht with a conventional hull, inside which the whole cabin was gimballed!

I'd like to see a video of that, too! Like "2001 A Space Odyssey"?

Mike.

 

[johnalison]

A few years ago there was an article about a novel design of yacht in which the mast and keel were both mounted on a ring around the hull that rotated. Or, if you like, the hull was gimballed in the rig. This is partially like a canting keel...

I believe it was actually built, but I don't know if the horizontal hull (as if a catamaran) was considered worth the complexity. And of course you lose any form stability of the hull; it might as well be cylindrical! (Edit: that refers just to sailing "stiffness". For comfort and safety you need the hull to remain upright and the rudder to remain in the water!)

Mike.

I saw such a yacht in Cherbourg in the residents' section of the marina maybe 5 yrs ago. I think it was about 45'.

 

[Foolish Muse]

When talking to your friend, keep in mind that a proper canting keel doesn't just swing back and forth. Rather the leading edge of the keel is lifted slightly, on both tacks. And of course the keel doesn't provide lift to the boat, so a dagger board (or two asym dagger boards) is necessary to replace that lift. On the foiled Vendee boats, the foil provides both lift and dagger board.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

When talking to your friend, keep in mind that a proper canting keel doesn't just swing back and forth. Rather the leading edge of the keel is lifted slightly, on both tacks. And of course the keel doesn't provide lift to the boat, so a dagger board (or two asym dagger boards) is necessary to replace that lift. On the foiled Vendee boats, the foil provides both lift and dagger board.

Never heard of that extra canter articulation before - who, what , where?

 

[tudorsailor]

It didn't take much effort to google "canting keel video".

This is short and sweet

I was thinking more of something showing the wind trying to push a boat over and the keel canted to move the centre of gravity to towards the wind, and so resist the heel.
TS

 

[Foolish Muse]

Never heard of that extra canter articulation before - who, what , where?

I interviewed an IMOCA 60 designer for my singlehanded tips book. He explained this to me in detail. It can even lead to the rare problem where if the boat dives into a wave too steeply downwards, then the lift is reversed on one side and the boat gybes uncontrolled. Very rare. It took them a long time to figure this one out.

And one other strange thing you might not realize. Because of the fact that the keel's leading edge is angled up, the boat is actually being lifted by the keel foil on the wrong side, i.e. the windward side. So they need to overcome this extra windward lift as well.

 

[alan_d]

Not necessarily. There was at least one Victorian yacht with a conventional hull, inside which the whole cabin was gimballed!

You may be thinking of the SS Bessemer, built by Sir Henry Bessemer of steelmaking fame, a severe seasickness sufferer.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I interviewed an IMOCA 60 designer for my singlehanded tips book. He explained this to me in detail.

Has it ever been built though?

 

[Foolish Muse]

Has it ever been built though?

Yes, this is standard in the design of canting keels.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Yes, this is standard in the design of canting keels.

Can you show me one?

Edit. I've just twigged that 'extra articulation' isn't needed. I misread you and thought you meant that the leading edge 'could' be lifted. Of course, if the main pivot axis is higher at the front than at the back, then the foil will incline as you say (and sweep forwards slightly). I certainly haven't noticed that 'twist' before, I'll keep an eye open.

TudorSailor, sorry for the thread leeway. I can't find a good animation, but if you try pushing over your inquisitor, he'll probably stick a leg out. That leg was doing a fair job of holding him upright when it was just hanging down, but is now doing a much better job.