Hi Sailors I am considering reducing the draft of my 43' Beneteau Idyle (1986) and wondering if any of you have done so, Guess we would have to go to a wing keel if we take 18" off our 6 foot draft. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I might get info, plans or species etc relating to this. Thanks Bob
Draft Reduction
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Bulb
Seems to me I read a few years ago about somebody that lopped off a chunk of fin keel (technical talk, I love it!) and replaced the weight with a bulb. Unfortunately, I haven't a vague recollection about where. Anybody else recall that?
Seems to me I read a few years ago about somebody that lopped off a chunk of fin keel (technical talk, I love it!) and replaced the weight with a bulb. Unfortunately, I haven't a vague recollection about where. Anybody else recall that?
I know a guy
With an Ericson that did it. He found out after he bought the boat that his anchorage was not deep enough in front of his house. I talked to Bruce King(designer) about this and he said it was a bad idea. Tim R.
With an Ericson that did it. He found out after he bought the boat that his anchorage was not deep enough in front of his house. I talked to Bruce King(designer) about this and he said it was a bad idea. Tim R.
Sell the boat, and buy the one you want
Somebody wold really like to have a deep draft Beneteau. And you could buy a boat designed for shallow draft. Aside from the difficulty of redesigning a key feature of your boat, and getting it anywhere near right, you will reduce the value of the boat when you modify the keel. Just my two bits and worth considering anyway, David Lady Lillie
Somebody wold really like to have a deep draft Beneteau. And you could buy a boat designed for shallow draft. Aside from the difficulty of redesigning a key feature of your boat, and getting it anywhere near right, you will reduce the value of the boat when you modify the keel. Just my two bits and worth considering anyway, David Lady Lillie
*box i think david is not correct
a properly designed wing keel would raise the value of any boat due to a:a new keel b:shallower draft without compromising balance or performance
a properly designed wing keel would raise the value of any boat due to a:a new keel b:shallower draft without compromising balance or performance
This will affect performance
Less wetted area on your keel will reduce lift. Plain and simple. You will not point as high with a reduced keel. You may gain some speed in higher winds because it keeps the boat flatter but that can easily be done now by reducing sail. You will lose performance in lower winds from the increased weight. Check on any regions PHRF table. Wing/bulb keels have higher ratings than deep fin keels on most boats. This is a great idea if you are not concerned with performance and are strickly cruising but forget about racing the boat and sailing to it's designed rating. And I guarantee you it will reduce the value of the boat in the eyes of most brokers and buyers. Did Beneteau have a wing or bulb keel option for this boat? Call them as there may be a bolt on keel you can get from them already designed for this purpose. Tim R.
Less wetted area on your keel will reduce lift. Plain and simple. You will not point as high with a reduced keel. You may gain some speed in higher winds because it keeps the boat flatter but that can easily be done now by reducing sail. You will lose performance in lower winds from the increased weight. Check on any regions PHRF table. Wing/bulb keels have higher ratings than deep fin keels on most boats. This is a great idea if you are not concerned with performance and are strickly cruising but forget about racing the boat and sailing to it's designed rating. And I guarantee you it will reduce the value of the boat in the eyes of most brokers and buyers. Did Beneteau have a wing or bulb keel option for this boat? Call them as there may be a bolt on keel you can get from them already designed for this purpose. Tim R.
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