What are the advantages and disadvantages between a daggerboard and a swingkeel. I am looking to buy a Mac 26 mostly because you can trailer it, I am very new to sailing and am unsure the differance between sailing a mac 26 with a swing keel vs sailing an older one with a centerboard?
Dagger Board vs Swingkeel
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The specs will say that all things equal, the D is slightly faster than the S. I think that there are enough other variables to overcome that. What I like most about the S is that the centerboard will kick up in shallow water.
Re:centerboard vs. daggerboard. I spent the better part of the day today sailing in water ranging from 3' to 15'. Most of it was in the 4 to 6 foot range. A centerboard that kicks up is ideal for my bay waters. I probably would have torn up a daggerboard. Just study your water you will be sailing in. I like the idea of a daggerboard but it just flat will not work where I sail.
Here's what the factory says about a dagger board vs. a swing keel.
This is taken from the factory website and describes differences between the 26M and the 26X.
"A DAGGERBOARD HAS REPLACED THE CENTERBOARD
Better performance is the big reason for the change. Here are a lot more reasons.
1. LESS INTERFERENCE WITH THE INTERIOR
A centerboard trunk presents a 16" high problem from the mast almost back to the steps. Unfortunately, this ridge dominates the interior plan, and made it essential to bring the seating structure on one side out beyond the centerline. This forces a dinette type of configuration, which makes it more difficult to have a good conversational type seating for a bunch of crew members. It also reduced the interior floor space (and thus moving around space) by a significant margin. The daggerboard trunk, which is partially hidden by the galley, eliminated these problems.
2. IMPROVED STRUCTURE
The daggerboard trunk takes the full downward thrust of the mast to the keel of the boat.
The daggerboard requires a much smaller opening in the hull, which helps reduce drag and keep structural weight down.
3. NO ELECTROLYSIS OR LEAKS
The daggerboard requires no metallic parts below the waterline. There are no holes in the hull to leak, or pins to wear.
4. EASIER MAINTENANCE
The retraction cable is less subject to wear, and it can be easily replaced. The board itself can be lifted out through the deck for cleaning, inspection or repair. Removal of a centerboard is a tougher job.
5. QUIETER AT AN ANCHORAGE.
Daggerboards are a lot quieter and subject to less wear when the boat is moored or at anchor."
This is taken from the factory website and describes differences between the 26M and the 26X.
"A DAGGERBOARD HAS REPLACED THE CENTERBOARD
Better performance is the big reason for the change. Here are a lot more reasons.
1. LESS INTERFERENCE WITH THE INTERIOR
A centerboard trunk presents a 16" high problem from the mast almost back to the steps. Unfortunately, this ridge dominates the interior plan, and made it essential to bring the seating structure on one side out beyond the centerline. This forces a dinette type of configuration, which makes it more difficult to have a good conversational type seating for a bunch of crew members. It also reduced the interior floor space (and thus moving around space) by a significant margin. The daggerboard trunk, which is partially hidden by the galley, eliminated these problems.
2. IMPROVED STRUCTURE
The daggerboard trunk takes the full downward thrust of the mast to the keel of the boat.
The daggerboard requires a much smaller opening in the hull, which helps reduce drag and keep structural weight down.
3. NO ELECTROLYSIS OR LEAKS
The daggerboard requires no metallic parts below the waterline. There are no holes in the hull to leak, or pins to wear.
4. EASIER MAINTENANCE
The retraction cable is less subject to wear, and it can be easily replaced. The board itself can be lifted out through the deck for cleaning, inspection or repair. Removal of a centerboard is a tougher job.
5. QUIETER AT AN ANCHORAGE.
Daggerboards are a lot quieter and subject to less wear when the boat is moored or at anchor."
my .02...
I have a daggerboard, and have not had problems w/ grounding.
Last weekend I was sailing in 16knts w/ reefed main, and about 1.5-2' of daggerboard. she tracked fine.
I do like the increased strenght and low maintence of the daggerboard.
however there are some cabin and cockpit improvements on the later S models I do desire.
D's are typically 1k or more less in price.
I have a daggerboard, and have not had problems w/ grounding.
Last weekend I was sailing in 16knts w/ reefed main, and about 1.5-2' of daggerboard. she tracked fine.
I do like the increased strenght and low maintence of the daggerboard.
however there are some cabin and cockpit improvements on the later S models I do desire.
D's are typically 1k or more less in price.
I have a swing centerboard, and like Beamreach, I sail where it's occasionally too shallow for the board all the way down. It's very nice to have the board pivot up and then drop down. The big downside seems to be increased maintenance. Eventually, you'll probably have to replace the pivot bolt. There have been a lot of postings about that over the last few years.
If I were in your position, I'd probably make the decision based on whether I sail in shallow water. If not, I'd probably favor the daggerboard.
If I were in your position, I'd probably make the decision based on whether I sail in shallow water. If not, I'd probably favor the daggerboard.
Although the daggerboard does not kick up like a centerboard, it raises and lowers easily for shallow water. I have my daggerboard line marked where it holds the daggerboard at the same depth as the rudders for navigating shallow waters. I am not usually travelling at a very high speed in shallow waters so if the daggerboard does ground it will be at a very slow speed and I would rather be stopped by a stronger daggerboard than have the weaker rudders hit and possibly break. The daggerboard can be raise or lowered to as many increments as one wants along its' depth, there is no leaving it permanently lowered all the way down as some would imply. There is nothing wrong with a daggerbaord, it has its' own advantages.
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