Shallow fin keel performance?

[Justin1]

Hi,

I have been looking for a first boat and have finally decided that a sadler 25 would suit all my needs very well. Have found a few for sale in my area and one that I particularly like, the only hesitation I have is that it has a shallow fin keel.
Being based in east anglia this would have a lot of benefits but I want a good seaworthy boat that is capable and comfortable to sail across the channel, channel islands etc.. Also perhaps race it abit, round the island etc..

Would I be better off with a full keel version or would a shallow fin be fine?

Thanks in advance,

Justin

 

[martinb]

The shallow fin will not go to windward as well as the standard keel, so if you plan to do any racing or if windward performance is important to you then go for the standard keel. These are great boats that sail really well with the standard keel, I think that it would be a shame to compromise the performance.

Martin

 

[Finbar]

Mike Lucas covers this topic well for the Sadler range of yachts on his website:

http://www.mikelucasyachting.co.uk/frameset.htm

There is a small penalty upwind, but balancing benefits, so it comes down to area of use. If you are sailing in waters where it is useful to be able to take the ground, the bilge keel is best.

Good luck with your decision,

 

[jason -and the arguenauts]

Having just gone from a modern bilge keeler to a modern fin keeler, I've got to say the difference in pointing ability is small and only really noticeable when racing. I wonder if any cruiser, particularly with wife aboard, does the long leg hard on the wind when the difference would be felt. Certainly I never would.

 

[rudolph_hart]

Got to agree with Finbar ref bilge keel Sadler 25.

I saw a bilge keel version go head to head in a short-tack/foul tide beat with a well-sailed fin keel version in a club race in the early 80's. My flabber, while not comprehensively so, was well gasted at how closely they were matched.

 

[AliM]

The shallow draft version has to win in East Anglia - there's too many shingle bars, muddy creeks, cheap moorings, nice places to go etc where shallow draft is helpful. Deep fin makes sense if you plan on racing seriously - otherwise go for the shallow option.

Enjoy!

 

[jeanpaulcopie]

Hi,

I have been looking for a first boat and have finally decided that a sadler 25 would suit all my needs very well. Have found a few for sale in my area and one that I particularly like, the only hesitation I have is that it has a shallow fin keel.
Being based in east anglia this would have a lot of benefits but I want a good seaworthy boat that is capable and comfortable to sail across the channel, channel islands etc.. Also perhaps race it abit, round the island etc..

Would I be better off with a full keel version or would a shallow fin be fine?

Thanks in advance,

Justin

I would just go to the full keel version! I own a MOORINGS 38 by BENETEAU - USA which is the same hull ( and same architect) as the FIRST38S5 built by the same firm in France. It has a shallow keel and a 1 metre shorter mast; the two are just as fast but performance upwind doesn't really compare... and as for sailing comfort the deep keel version is much steadier and comfotable at sea; If wind picks up you have to reduce sails much earlier or the heel makes life inside very uncomfortable to say the least. If I were you and had the possibility I would try both (DEEP and SHALLOW) before buying in a good force 4/5 wind to see the difference and sure your choice would go to the full keel version.

 

[john_morris_uk]

The difference in performance in the Sadler 25 range is so small that I suspect that the deciding factor would more likely be what boat is available and in what condition. Even the deep fin keel ones don't draw that much more than the shallow and bildge vesrions but I guess that if you have a choice of two identical boats with much the same gear on both, then I would suggest you go for the bilge keel one.

Bilge keels got a terrible reputation when they were first introduced, because they weren't designed very well. The Sadler 25 bildge keel version sails very well - we had one and I think someone else has commented on their sailing ability on this thread as well..

Great little boats and good luck with your serach for a good one.

 

[johnalison]

It's not so much pointing-ability that matters as leeway, which will be greater with shallow fin. Very often a shallow fin gives you the worst of both worlds and while I have no experience of the Sadler 25, other than racing against one (mostly unsuccessfully), the Sadler 32 shallow fin was found on test to be about the same to windward as the twin keel.

I am not biased as my current boat has shallow fin, but about 1.6m as against 1.8 standard.

 

[vyv_cox]

Last season I raced my shallow fin Sadler 34 against a friend's deep fin 34 over an upwind course of about 20 miles. We outpointed him considerably and beat him to the destination by 15 minutes or so. Our sails are excellent, his are tired. Unless looking for ultimate perfomance, buy the shallow fin if it's otherwise good and buy the best sails you can afford.