alant
Well-Known Member
Interesting article by Ted Brewer - http://www.goodoldboat.com/reader_services/articles/keeldesign.php
keel design
- Thread starter alant
- Start date
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
Good script. Perhaps, the keel of the future is likely to be a keel that can be change its shape, position and weight, hydraulically at the press of a button from the cockpit to suit various conditions. I would like one of those now.
Neil_Y
Well-Known Member
I like this one
Neil_Y
Well-Known Member
and down
bignick
Well-Known Member
I like the lifting method! No risk of breaking skin fittings there...
Though I have to say I prefer the 'other' keel in your second photo.
Nick
//edit. Lifting the boat as a whole, not the keel lifting mech....
Though I have to say I prefer the 'other' keel in your second photo.
Nick
//edit. Lifting the boat as a whole, not the keel lifting mech....
Last edited:
dunedin
Well-Known Member
A key and often ignored factor in the evolution of keel design was the available technology.
The much revered (by some) long keels, integrated with the hull and with rudder hung on the back, originated I suspect largely as that was what the wooden technology of the day could do easily and reliably. It was an evolution of the "keel" plank of the old sailing ships / boats, which just got deeper and ultimately internal ballast moved to be bolted on as external ballast. I guess it was never seen as the best design, just the best compromise with the available knowledge and technology.
New technologies give new options - though not all of the options are right for each purpose (as the author stated, a deep keel optimised for an offshore racer is not ideal for hitting bottom in shallow channels)
The much revered (by some) long keels, integrated with the hull and with rudder hung on the back, originated I suspect largely as that was what the wooden technology of the day could do easily and reliably. It was an evolution of the "keel" plank of the old sailing ships / boats, which just got deeper and ultimately internal ballast moved to be bolted on as external ballast. I guess it was never seen as the best design, just the best compromise with the available knowledge and technology.
New technologies give new options - though not all of the options are right for each purpose (as the author stated, a deep keel optimised for an offshore racer is not ideal for hitting bottom in shallow channels)
johnalison
Well-Known Member
There is nothing new under the sun. A few years ago our marina office had a model yacht on a shelf with a tandem keel. It was very old, possible 1900s, or '20s.
