Deeper keel

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Armando

I have a 85 Hunter 23 with the wing keel. I feel the boat is a great all around boat, however, upwind with winds over 15 knots it's performance severely decreases as it's been mentioned in this forum. Looking at the ceiling and trying to come up with a solution, other than carry a 300 pound crew member all the time with me, I was wondering: Is it possible to add a foot long piece of keel to the existing one below the wings without taking the keel fully out? and, does anybody know if it would be structurally possible to do that? thanks Armando
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Time to buy a bigger boat.

Armando: When you start talking about keel modification, you need to start talking about replacing your boat. First thing is the expense. This needs to be engineered. The second thing is, how are you going to trailer it with and additional foot of keel and the additional weight? Now for that 300 lb crew member, what the hell are you going to feed him?
 
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Dan

Keel additions

There is a company somewhere in Canada that makes torpedo bulbs to bolt through the existing keel at the bottom to add weight and increase stability. They are really expensive and custom made for each boat. I don't know if there is any way to do this with the wing keel. If you are interested I can look up their website again and post it. Let me know. Dan
 
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Greg

U didn't say but......

I found that reefing the main early and droping back to the 110 jib would cause the 23 to point in 15 and above wind. The trick is to keep the boat as flat as possible. Also look into a backstay adjuster and a traveler control. With about 240 sq ft of sail to play with, you can reef and still have more sail area up than a c22. :) Greg Ex h23'er
 
Apr 19, 1999
1,670
Pearson Wanderer Titusville, Florida
Don't mess with the keel

In addition to all the things mentioned earlier, it will probably make your H23 ineligible for any kind of organized racing. This may also hurt your ability to sell the boat one day. If you feel that you have fully explored the perfomance envelope of the H23, then it's time to get a new boat. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
 
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