feeling DI

[coxy]

I'm looking at buying a second-hand feeling lifting keel - does anyone have any strong opinions/advice about these yachts as a suitable family boat. They do seem to devalue quickly! The only alternative lifting keel is the Alubat Ovni, but im not too sure about aluminium.

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[Twister_Ken]

Lift keelers

Err no

Quite a lot of lift keel boats about apart from Feelings and Ovnis.

Southerly is probably the best known in UK waters, but also Parkers, some Beneteaux, various varieties of Fox boats, some manky old IOR boats which are centreboarders. Other people will think of more, no doubt.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: Lift keelers

what is the difference between a centre boarder and a lift keel. As a kid I used to sail a Dauntless which was a centre boarder, I think!

Is it that lift keelers have a lump of lead at the bottom of the keel, or is it the difference between straight lifting and having a plate on a hinge?

Or is it just the same thing but under different brand names?

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[Sybarite]

Re: Lift keelers

A lifting keel is normally ballasted and one requires say hydraulic assistance to get it up.



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[coxy]

Re: Lift keelers

thanks for the reply, I've looked at the Southerly's and was put off by Northshore's attitude - perhaps, it was just bad luck on my part (both times). What, however, is your opinion on Feeling yachts?
Cheers

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[Sybarite]

Re: Lift keelers

Great. I've had one for 18 years. Not though a centre boarder. I would not have one unless absolutely forced to by local sailing situation. Fin keelers sail better, you don't have the weak points associated with the CB and who wants to dry out - unless you have to?

John

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[BlueSkyNick]

Re: Lift keelers

"requires say hydraulic assistance to get it up."

I've got one of those !! It gets used on the boat from time to time, I prefer to bring it home with me, though. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif




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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: Lift keelers

well if you are prepared to dry out, or even just reduce your draft you cruising grounds will nearly double. Drying out in a harbour on anchor and walking ashore is quite satisfying on a quiet sunny afternoon.

Just being able to take to the bottom in a shallow ancorage can make your annual holiday almost free if you avoid marinas.

I often think how scary it must be for keel boats knowing that if they touch bottom on a falling tide the outcome could be disasterous, I have taken chances entering shallow anchorages knowing the worst thing that can happen is falling short of the harbour wall for example.

I would definately look at Southerlies if I was buying a mono, lovely looking boats and appear very well built.

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[Sybarite]

Re: Lift keelers

<< Just being able to take to the bottom in a shallow ancorage can make your annual holiday almost free if you avoid marinas. >>

One can simply anchor, no?

<< I often think how scary it must be for keel boats knowing that if they touch bottom on a falling tide the outcome could be disasterous, I have taken chances entering shallow anchorages knowing the worst thing that can happen is falling short of the harbour wall for example. >>

One you may bump continually until you finally settle. And you can choose your weather when you settle. What happens though if there is an unannounced onshore F6 just when you refloat?

I agree the Southerly is a nice boat but I would prefer the solution of a stub keel augmented by a swinging centre board.

John




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[Barr Avel]

I chartered a Feeling 36DI last summer and was very impressed with build quality and performance. Keel actually was plastic I think, it had to be winched down, but raised itself easily by releasing the jammer. Wide flat underside of hull and twin rudders meant that it beached very well.

The only thing I'd say is that the twin rudders took some getting use to when manoeuvering at slow speed in marinas.

( http://www.walsby.co.uk/brit2003/boat_beached_2.jpg )


Marc.



<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by mlw197 on 06/05/2004 23:22 (server time).</FONT></P>