Kelt 850 DI Lifting keel

[Jodel99]

Hi,
I am considering a Kelt 850 DI. I notice the lifting keel area seems small. Does it sail well to windward? Any opinions on its sailing performance and any issues I should be on the look out for?
What's it like on bad weather?
Regards,
Jodel

 

[Daverw]

Ours is the Kelt 29, which is the same and have seen very good performance against other fin keels, good speed through water at the top end of other similar sized boats we sail with. We find it rides rough stuff better than many others and the iron shoe adds good weight low down. Having keel lift on coach roof makes lifting easy and dr6ing out very good as when lifted very flat and sound. Old reviews comment on shallow rudder but we’ve never had a problem. We’ve had ours 5 years and do have to be careful when under power with keel up as no real grip in the water. We find build good and only issue we’ve had recently is window joints leaking and need resealing and swept spreader issue, this is a know problem by Z Spars as the bracket and spreader bar pins are very close to edge and can break, Z Spars have a replacement kit for this, as it’s the rear pin that’s the issue it’s still held under tension.

We have been very happy with ours and plan to keep her for the future

PS, just to add engine access very good to all sides

 

[Jodel99]

Thanks for the reply
Jodel

 

[cid]

I have had one for over ten years and have found it great. I also sailed one prior to that up the west coast of Scotland in all kinds of weather and around the Fastnet . Things to watch for. 1. mine has a 2gmf engine. This gives it extra power when necessary. 2. Linings are foam backed and a pain to replace. 3. Fuel tank small. If you need to refuel underway a pain. Mine has a system where by fuel can be pumped from a 5 gallon can in the storage locker to the engine return pipe.(works well) 4. the shrouds deck fittings on mine have had larger backing plates fitted.(spreads the load) 5. check the P bracket. I resealed mine 9yrs ago.

 

[Daverw]

Forgot to add ours had the 9hp engine changed to 2gm20 a few years before we bought her. Our fuel tank is piped to an additional tank in locker that allows both eber or main tank reserve. Never needed it though even on last year North Sea crossing to Amsterdam and return to Humber.

cid, would be interested to know if you had a problem with shroud plates or just updated them for security?

 

[cid]

Forgot to add ours had the 9hp engine changed to 2gm20 a few years before we bought her. Our fuel tank is piped to an additional tank in locker that allows both eber or main tank reserve. Never needed it though even on last year North Sea crossing to Amsterdam and return to Humber.

cid, would be interested to know if you had a problem with shroud plates or just updated them for security?

Sorry only notice your question DAVERW. Finding the new set up a bit of a pain. The shroud plates were replaced before I purchased it. I have seen a few others who had theirs beefed up.

 

[Daverw]

Just checked ours, not sure how they were originally but are strong and secure currently So not concerned with them.

 

[fredrussell]

Kelt 29 was very much on my list when last looking for a boat. To me they tick all the boxes: lift keel, dry out flat, aft cabin, sugar scoop stern, good accommodation with standing headroom and so on. I was slightly concerned with rudder size as one review described a lack of grip when pushed, but I certainly defer to the owners above who by all accounts don’t find it an issue. I do sometimes wonder if a review by someone that might have just been a poor sailor, or even just having a bad day might unfairly tarnish the reputation of a boat for years afterwards - especially if boat was not reviewed by any other mags on release.

 

[Laurie]

A bit late now, but also consider the Feeling 286 Special, a "sister" design by Giles Vaton as well

 

[DownWest]

Feeling re-used some Kelt moulds for later boats. Certainly the 6.20 was recycled later.

 

[DownWest]

Edit seems to have failed.
The Kelt and the Feeling are the same boat. Here;
SailboatData.com - KELT 8.50 Sailboat

 

[Laurie]

The Kelt 8.5 and 850 and Feeling 29 are the same; the Feeling 286 is not. It is similar and designed by the same person, and to a degree succeeded the previous 3.