Two questions same subject. A 1978 Ericson 29 and a 1981 Islander 30 Bahama, both with full keels. I have been doing some reading, and I can not tell what the keel construction is. Are either or both filled with lead. Are either of the keels filled with lead and encapsulated in fiberglass.
Ericson 29 & Islander 30 Keel Construction
- Thread starter Ropeburn
- Start date
I'm not sure why you call them full keels. Sailboatdata.com describes hull types for both as: Fin w/spade rudder.
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=999
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=1362
That description alone would indicate the ballast as external... i.e. bolted on.
I can't answer your question about whether the keel is covered with a separate layer of FG... But the connection seam between keel and hull are normally built up with FG after the two are joined. I defer to the experts in this area however.... just wanted to clarify your hull description.
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=999
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=1362
That description alone would indicate the ballast as external... i.e. bolted on.
I can't answer your question about whether the keel is covered with a separate layer of FG... But the connection seam between keel and hull are normally built up with FG after the two are joined. I defer to the experts in this area however.... just wanted to clarify your hull description.
I had an Ericson 32 and one of the best features
of that boat was that the keel was integrated into the hull rather than being bolted onto the hull. You could actually feel a difference in performance as the integrated keel had a noticeably smoother and more solid feel as it sailed. It also was very fast, easily overtaking most other boats of similar size. Some of the draw backs were that it tended to fishtail going down wind more that other boats requiring you to pay more attention to the helm when broad reaching or running with the wind. Other Ericson owners noted this same characteristic. Also the hull was sleek and some cabin space was sacrificed more than other makes. Being that most of the time there was only two of us on board, the cabin issue was not a problem for me. I generally liked the engineering and quality of construction.
of that boat was that the keel was integrated into the hull rather than being bolted onto the hull. You could actually feel a difference in performance as the integrated keel had a noticeably smoother and more solid feel as it sailed. It also was very fast, easily overtaking most other boats of similar size. Some of the draw backs were that it tended to fishtail going down wind more that other boats requiring you to pay more attention to the helm when broad reaching or running with the wind. Other Ericson owners noted this same characteristic. Also the hull was sleek and some cabin space was sacrificed more than other makes. Being that most of the time there was only two of us on board, the cabin issue was not a problem for me. I generally liked the engineering and quality of construction.
Eddie is correct on this one....the 29 is the same deal. Lead poured into an encapsulated keel, all one piece. No keel joint.
There's an Islander Bahama here on the hill, I'll peep at it this afternoon and see if it is the same.
There's an Islander Bahama here on the hill, I'll peep at it this afternoon and see if it is the same.
Joe, no, my 32 was a fin/spade keel that molded
as part of the hull and filled with lead. Generally boats that size indeed have bolted on fin or spade keels but Ericsons are different in that respect. It is a feature that I love about Ericsons. I do question the terminology of "full keel". Full keel refers to the shape and configuration of the keel and not the method of construction.
as part of the hull and filled with lead. Generally boats that size indeed have bolted on fin or spade keels but Ericsons are different in that respect. It is a feature that I love about Ericsons. I do question the terminology of "full keel". Full keel refers to the shape and configuration of the keel and not the method of construction.
This is an Islander Bahama 28, fin keeled, tiller boat.
(This boat could be had for very little, with a new Yanmar in it)..
(This boat could be had for very little, with a new Yanmar in it)..
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This is my Ericson getting some dirt time. I've always called this a shoal draft keel, but I guess that technically means a fin keel like Joe said.
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A shoal draft fin keel. Often a manufactuer will offer
two variations, one a little shorter that is intended for shallower or shoal waters. The shape or style of the one depicted in your photo is a shoal draft variation of a fin keel.
two variations, one a little shorter that is intended for shallower or shoal waters. The shape or style of the one depicted in your photo is a shoal draft variation of a fin keel.
Often people refer to boats boats with fixed keels
as "keel boats" meaning that they do not have a removable or retractable keel such as a centerboard, dagger board or side board. Boats between 16 and 28 feet can sometimes have two versions, one with a permanent, fixed keel or one with a retractable keel, usually a center board, that is intended for easier trailering. I am thinking that what Ropeburn was told meant that the boat has a permanent/fixed keel as opposed to a retractable keel but the configuration or style is a fin keel
as "keel boats" meaning that they do not have a removable or retractable keel such as a centerboard, dagger board or side board. Boats between 16 and 28 feet can sometimes have two versions, one with a permanent, fixed keel or one with a retractable keel, usually a center board, that is intended for easier trailering. I am thinking that what Ropeburn was told meant that the boat has a permanent/fixed keel as opposed to a retractable keel but the configuration or style is a fin keel