What on earth is it (apologies for awful drawing)

[SeaDave]

On the Thames I see quite a few of these style of boats around. They are kind of like advanced barges - very long, fairly wide with a huge amount of liveaboard space.

They all have this weird paddle type thing on the side though that I only ever see in the up position - what on earth is it and what's it for?

I've tried to demonstrate here with a particularly pathetic drawing:

 

[Nautorius]

It is a Dutch Barge (Tjark?). The thing on the side is a Keel (twin keels which heel up) Similar to some sailing catamarans. Keeps draft shallow yet gives good stability for sailing.

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Its_Only_Money]

Think its called a lee board isn´t it, one either side but only the one to leeward is lowered when under sail.

Many forms of traditional barge have them I think.

This may not be the b est forum to find details on saily bits /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SeaDave]

Thank you very much, it's been really bothering me recently and I couldn't fathom what it/they were for.

Well done!!

 

[l'escargot]

Wikipedia

 

[Sixpence]

Definately a lee board , also helps a barge maintain a straight course through water when there's a cross wind , otherwise its shallow draught would mean the higher air draft compared to under water draft would make it slide sideways in the water making it harder to get where they wanted to go . Take a trip to Maldon , Essex , and you'll see loads of them

 

[bendyone]

Its a USB port. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Sundays_Child]

hahaha! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[clivew05]

[ QUOTE ]
Its a USB port. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

No its not its a FireWire port surely ... ?? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Someone has cut a hole in the side of the boat and you can see a dead person in there! OK, maybe asleep / drunk etc.

Joking aside, as the others point out its a lee board or lowering keel type thingy. A big Cat in our harbour has two of them.

 

[Gumpy]

If you want to see them in use have a look here:
http://www.ifks.nl/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=9&Itemid=60

They sail the barges like they are dinghys.......

J