Jeanneau 40DS Keel choice

[jonesp]

Help required!
I am looking to buy a 40DS. I have found a nice example but she has a short keel, I am concerned about the stability and performance of the short keel version. The boat will be used for family cruising around Plymouth and the SW, with occasional trips across the channel. Can anyone comment on the differences between the short and deep keel?

 

[Neraida]

Aha! I did some reading into the Jen. keels last year. Effectively, there is little or no effect on stability, and a slight decrease in performance up wind. For the type of sailing you are looking at, a little less draft would probably be a good thing. (brittany etc)

Ask for the stability curves of both models, if they're not available on the website already, and pref the "polars" too, so you can see the performance difference.

 

[moondancer]

If you enjoy sailing, I would always go for the deep keel option if offered one.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I had the very same concern, but on a different boat - our Moody44.

The one boat we really wanted had the shoal keel, which I had no experience. The draft is 1.5m versus 2m on the deep version. I was concerned about leeway and upwind performance, but given that she is definitely a cruising boat not a racer, decided to proceed and have not regretted it.

Stability is not an issue as our ballast is 4.25tons v 4.00 on the deep keel version, on a 10.5tons displacement boat - check this on the Jeanneau specs.

One aspect where I noticed the biggest difference is the turning circle, particularly in tight spaces. I just hadnt appreciated that I would need twice the room for an extra 10ft , compared to our previous boat.

Now that I have got used to this, plus the extra windage, I am comfortable parking in tight spaces, or making a clear decision not to try before getting close.

 

[DeeGee]

One regret you may have if you go for a deep keel (don't I know it !) is that you will not be able to go through France to the Med by canal. I have read others' experiences of this with envy. At 1.9m it is impossible, at 1.5 it is a goer.

/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Not to mention a few shallow areas in the Solent, eg Newtown, Beaulieu entrance, Bembridge, to name just three.

 

[AdrianPetts]

I have the Sun Odyssey 40, same hull as DS, with shallow draught. No problems with stability, sails very well and points well. Excellent boat. Kept in Plymouth. Email if you want more info.