Sailing tips for Bilge or Twin Keels

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npf1

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Just coming to end of a renovation project of 'new to me' shallow draft twin keeler. It's just been launched (but still got a long job list) and I hope to be sailing it by June.

I'm used to fin & long keels, so was a little surprised how tippy the 'new' boat seems, now it's floating. I take it this is normal, but I would be interested in observations from those with experience of both keel arrangements. I'd also love to hear any sailing tips.

Thanks in advance.
 
Nothing specifically different about sailing twin keels except that generally they are less close winded. However there is a huge variation in twin keels just as there is in single keels so any "quirks" are more likely to be design specific rather than generic. the tippiness is more to do with hull shape, displacement and ballast rather than specifically the keel type.
 
npf1 said:
Just coming to end of a renovation project of 'new to me' shallow draft twin keeler. It's just been launched (but still got a long job list) and I hope to be sailing it by June.

I'm used to fin & long keels, so was a little surprised how tippy the 'new' boat seems, now it's floating. I take it this is normal, but I would be interested in observations from those with experience of both keel arrangements. I'd also love to hear any sailing tips.

Thanks in advance.
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When you tack, go from fully closehauled on one tack to slightly free on new tack: build up speed again and only then then harden up onto fully closehauled. Applies to all boats but more so to shallow keeled ones. Tell us what make/model and you may get more specific advice.
 
Tranona said:
Nothing specifically different about sailing twin keels except that generally they are less close winded. However there is a huge variation in twin keels just as there is in single keels so any "quirks" are more likely to be design specific rather than generic. the tippiness is more to do with hull shape, displacement and ballast rather than specifically the keel type.
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+1 What he said.

Having moved from bildge (Mirage 28) to fin keel (Gib'Sea 96) in the last two years I much prefer the fin as I can point closer and rarely beached the bildge keeler.
 
Don't run aground on a falling tide unless you are prepared to stay till next high tide. If you do run aground on falling tide get free ASAP. I refer to fin keel ability to be heeled over to lift keel and get free when twin keel won't lift the keel unless you can get it way over. Or am I talking total rubbish. Never see any twin keels around here. olewill
 
My first 'boat-with-a-lid' was a twin-keeler, a little Vivacity 20 with the keels being two simple blocks with a rounded end in front, perfectly vertical and parallel to each other. Fitting a furling Genoa instead of the jib that came with it made a world of difference. Not too good for beating but quite nippy. Speed was around 5 knots (I think; no instruments on that boat).
Next was a bilge keeler, a Westerly Centaur, with hydrodynamic foils, properly splayed out and with a slight 'toe-in'. Here again, a new Genoa on a furler made a world of difference and would pass 7.5 knots in a F4 breeze. Best kept slightly free and heeled so that the windward keel acts as a counterweight while the leeward one is vertical and the hydrodynamic shape provides enough lift to reduce leeway until practically negligible. OK for long passage making but not suitable for thrashing round the cans. The asymmetric was used quite often and it was like turning on a turbo. The snuffer made it easy for me since I mostly sail solo. I had that boat for fourteen years.
Present boat is a classic fin&skeg from 1973, a Wauquiez Centurion 32 so, what can I say? Maximum over the ground was 11.4kts (according to the GPS) in a F3 breeze and open water. With the Centaur, 7kts was 'Open-the-Champagne-Time' while on the Centurion I barely notice. I can tack within 70o or so, which was impossible with the Centaur.
Every boat is a compromise. Just get used to the quirks of what you have and enjoy your boat as much as you can. Most boats are like women: treat them well and they are a joy but treat them badly and you will regret it! ;)
 
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Tippiness is to do with hull shape, not keel configuration. My shoal draft triple keeler is a great deal less tippy than some similar keel boats. With my weight I always go a little carefullywhen first boarding any boat under around 25 foot, as I have been known to cause a quite alarming roll when boarding! A matter of particular concern if the cook is busy in the galley.....:-)

my first boat was a 17 footer which would dip gracefully a few cms as I cameaboard. The next, a 19ft bilge keeler always felt as if she was going to come over on top of me!
 
I have never owned a bilge-keeler but sailed on a few. Most of the older designs were fairly beamy and/or slab-sided, so there was plenty of stability; the Centaur was pretty typical. I don't think the sail-carrying ability is greatly different to each model's fin equivalent. I agree with the aboves that the main technique is to keep way on, as the lesser draft means that stalling the keels will result in drifting away.
 
It really depends on the particular vessel and I can only comment for a Centaur but my impression is trying to tack against the tide in the Solent might give you a lovely evening sail for a couple of hours after work in the summer but you end up very close to home when you want to run home to have a quick drink at end of day. This might just be due to Centaur design though but to make any progress in a bilge keeler upwind it's much more key to have the tide with you unless of course you motorsail .
 
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