We currently have a '75 Mariner 2+2 with centerboard. Considering a larger 22-25' model and will appreciate any pros/cons input on the fixed keels regarding trailering, launching, sailing, etc.
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Lots of info in the archives
The pros and cons of the different keel/centerboard, swing keel, fin keel, water ballast configurations have been batted around alot on this site. You should do a search in the archives. My favorite: if you don't trailer a lot, the best configuration is the keel/centerboard combo.
The pros and cons of the different keel/centerboard, swing keel, fin keel, water ballast configurations have been batted around alot on this site. You should do a search in the archives. My favorite: if you don't trailer a lot, the best configuration is the keel/centerboard combo.
Swing keel works fine for trailering
Larry, I sail an O'Day 222 with a swing keel. I trailer around to places like Door County in WI, but also to other smaller lakes (e.g, Kentucky Lake). The beauty of a swing keel is that you can launch easily at launch ramps, and you can get into thinner water than fin keel boats. This comes in handy when there are shoals around. I have not found the 222, (which has a centerboard that pulls into a trunk in a short keel with 700 lbs of lead in it), to be overly tender. I can definitely tell the difference with the centerboard down vs. up. I can point quite a bit higher with the centerboard down. Once I got my system down, loading the boat on the trailer is pretty easy. Launching is a snap. Just retrieved for the last time this year today *cry. It took about 1.5 hours by the numbers. Dave s/v Hakuna Matata O'Day 222
Larry, I sail an O'Day 222 with a swing keel. I trailer around to places like Door County in WI, but also to other smaller lakes (e.g, Kentucky Lake). The beauty of a swing keel is that you can launch easily at launch ramps, and you can get into thinner water than fin keel boats. This comes in handy when there are shoals around. I have not found the 222, (which has a centerboard that pulls into a trunk in a short keel with 700 lbs of lead in it), to be overly tender. I can definitely tell the difference with the centerboard down vs. up. I can point quite a bit higher with the centerboard down. Once I got my system down, loading the boat on the trailer is pretty easy. Launching is a snap. Just retrieved for the last time this year today *cry. It took about 1.5 hours by the numbers. Dave s/v Hakuna Matata O'Day 222
Best to choose the length you want first
The terminology used in describing the underwater appendages is easily and frequently confused - this will become evident as you investigate your choices in boats in the 22' to 25' category. Briefly, in my mind, it's a swing keel when the moveable underwater foil contains the boat's ballast, and it's a centerboard when the ballast is located elsewhere. I think I would try and pin down the size of boat you want first. Since boats approximate a cubic function, a relatively small change in length has a rather profound effect on interior volume and the weight of the boat. Since ballast is proportional to overall displacement, where it's placed (whether or not it's in the part of the boat that articulates to reduce draft) becomes a matter of more concern as the boat gets larger. For example, the ever-popular Catalina 22 swing keel model carries it's 550 lbs of ballast in the "centerboard" . The same arrangement in the 25 ft. Catalina weighs in at 1600 lbs., a considerably bigger project to raise and lower with a winch. Keep in mind too that all that weight - which you want very much to stay connected to the boat - has to be connected through a pivot or other articulation which concentrates loads and wear. Managing 500 lbs with 4 bolts and a pin strikes me as do-able, but doing the same with something that weighs as much as a Geo Metro - well, let me think about it..... As Mike mentioned, this topic has been thoroughly discussed throughout the trailer-sailing community. There's plenty of information out there, but like so much of the unedited text on the internet, it's unfortunate that some of it is mis-leading. Good luck in your search!
The terminology used in describing the underwater appendages is easily and frequently confused - this will become evident as you investigate your choices in boats in the 22' to 25' category. Briefly, in my mind, it's a swing keel when the moveable underwater foil contains the boat's ballast, and it's a centerboard when the ballast is located elsewhere. I think I would try and pin down the size of boat you want first. Since boats approximate a cubic function, a relatively small change in length has a rather profound effect on interior volume and the weight of the boat. Since ballast is proportional to overall displacement, where it's placed (whether or not it's in the part of the boat that articulates to reduce draft) becomes a matter of more concern as the boat gets larger. For example, the ever-popular Catalina 22 swing keel model carries it's 550 lbs of ballast in the "centerboard" . The same arrangement in the 25 ft. Catalina weighs in at 1600 lbs., a considerably bigger project to raise and lower with a winch. Keep in mind too that all that weight - which you want very much to stay connected to the boat - has to be connected through a pivot or other articulation which concentrates loads and wear. Managing 500 lbs with 4 bolts and a pin strikes me as do-able, but doing the same with something that weighs as much as a Geo Metro - well, let me think about it..... As Mike mentioned, this topic has been thoroughly discussed throughout the trailer-sailing community. There's plenty of information out there, but like so much of the unedited text on the internet, it's unfortunate that some of it is mis-leading. Good luck in your search!
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