Macwester Keels

[Geordiedreamer]

A friend has a Macwester 26, bilge keel, shallow draft. He's wondering what is inside the keels. Is it ballast or fibreglass?? I think he's going to try and make some keel shoes, but also try and extend the keels a little to give more draft.
Not exactly sure what the plan is!!

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[paulrossall]

Ballast in the bottom of the keels, fibeglass above. If your friend is in the Macwesters owners club he can get details of how to make "shoes" to go on the keels. Go to <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.macwester.org>http://www.macwester.org</A>
Need to join to get the info, costs £12 per year. I have a Macwester 30 so also have shallow draft and make leeway but as I sail on the east cost and want the shallow draft and I turn engine on when going windward I would not want to increase draft.Paul

<hr width=100% size=1>" there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".

 

[Geordiedreamer]

Thanks for the prompt reply Paul, my friend and I also sail on the east coast, which is one of the reasons he's clung onto the Macwester for so long I think. The shallow draft is ideal on some of the beautiful places on the east coast. I'm surprised he's not in the owners club, but I will pass it on. And I must admit when we go sailing, to windward he does put his engine on because of the leeway.
His Macwester is a lot sturdier boat than our Jaguar 27 but not a very good sailing boat.
Thanks again
Kev

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