fishlansing, answer your own question. If a keel is an impediment to accessing shoal waters, and adds extra frontal resistance and wetted surface to slow a boat down; and costs considerable dollars, time and energy to install; why then would a manufacturer put one on/
I think you would have to answer that they do it because it is necessary, not because it's cool.
And by the way, even if you power your boat exclusively a keel helps the boat track better, resists leeway, and with a little sail up will allow you to power sail in the trough with a little heel and no rolling, while power only boats will be rolling themselves sick or going back.
Have fun
Joe S
I think you would have to answer that they do it because it is necessary, not because it's cool.
And by the way, even if you power your boat exclusively a keel helps the boat track better, resists leeway, and with a little sail up will allow you to power sail in the trough with a little heel and no rolling, while power only boats will be rolling themselves sick or going back.
Have fun
Joe S