Making the leap

[Appleyard]

We are now looking seriously at boats 35 ish feet in length.Apart from the obvious, what are opinions on fin keel v bilge keel regarding stability,performance or any other aspects?

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[snowleopard]

all depends what you want it for.

bilge keels are shallower and can dry out easily

fin keels go to windward better.

stability can't be directly compared - a fin keeler with low ballast ratio may be less stable than a bilge keeler with more ballast. you need to see the stability curves for the boats you are comparing.

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[dart]

If you like anchoring, go for a bilge keeler. It will open up enormous possibilities and let you tuck in to places others cannot reach.

In practice cruising yachtsmen don't often go to windward (not for long periods) -its too slow and uncomfortable. I read recently of a round the worlder who did 100 windward miles in 10000.

Bilge keels also have an advantage in the med. You're boat is safer in yards as it is less likely to be blown or knocked over.

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[Abraxas33]

We went down to the Med via the outside route from UK last year in our Countess 33 bilge keeler; this was the boat we had rather than one purchased for the trip and to live aboard. This year after wintering in Almerimar we have done the islands and are now out of the water in South of France. Before setting off I would have definately said a long fin would be my prefered option but with hindsight our bilge keeler has been great. One point not mentioned in other posts is rolling; we have cruised in company all year with a fin keel Moody 376 and it rolled far more than we did. Possibly the larger surface area of two bilge keels offers more lateral resitance. All boats are a compamise and all I'm saying is don't discount a bilge keeler if she's right in all other respects.

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