Bad to keep Swing Keel down to fight rocking fm waves?

Oct 8, 2023
115
Hunter 260 Kemah
I think those with swing keels keep it up when at anchor or dock, it seems safer.

But is this mostly wrong, is it bad to keep swing keel down to fight rocking fm waves?

I am lazy and stupid and want to delay repairs so I usually keep it safely up. But I wonder. - Davenport
 
Sep 24, 2018
4,653
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
I left my centerboard down all the time. Marine growth was a larger concern than maintenance. I serviced mine the first year I had that boat
 
Jan 19, 2010
13,005
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
I think the right answer is situational. For example, if you slip someplace with large tidal swings... or a strong Nor'easter might blow all of the water out of your slip, then you want to keep it up so you don't jam it into the pluff mud.

When I sleep out on the boat at anchor, I always leave it down.