Fixed vs. retractable keel

[John Perri]

My wife and i recently completed basic sailing lessons and we're hooked. We're going to be looking at 26 or 27, probably Catalina for local sailing on north shore of Long Island. My question has to do with any particular disadvantages of retractable keel. The advantage is clear, but what am i giving up over fixed keel?

 

[Tim Howe]

keel vs board

Its simple. If you are going to be sailing in mild conditions and like exploring creeks and shallows, definately go with a centerboard. If you are expecting to sail longer distances in iffy weather - a fixed keel would be better. I have a 85 Oday 26 and a 1968 pearson 22. The oday draws 2'6" and the pearson 3'8". The Oday is so nice to go exploring with, I can go into creeks on the bay barely wider than thwe boat - but when it kicks up - yikes - the boat is easily overpowered. My pearson, I love to take out when its blowing like crazy, but since its on the Potomac, I run aground and have had to call a tow on more than a few occasions. The 26 is a nice boat though, very spacious down below...

 

[Ed P.]

Fixed Is Better

Probably the biggest advantage of a fixed keel is the fact that regardless of boat size, a fixed keel is going to be heavier than any retractable keel on the same size boat. The equates to a stiffer boat which means you can handle higher winds much better. If you really want to do exploring in inlets, creeks, etc., invest in a dingy.Considering you'll be doing your sailing in a large body of water such as Long Island Sound, I would suspect that winds there can get pretty blustery at times, hence, more need for a stable boat.The main disadvantage of a swing keel, is the maintenance required. I currently have a C-22 with swing keel and would never go that route again.Good Luck

 

[Mike]

be careful of the different names

A retractable keel is different than a swing keel, which is different from a centerboard.....True retractable keels are rare, especially on small boats. A retractable keel is a full fin keel, where the whole thing (usually made of iron) retracts straight up into a well in the hull and/or cabin. Because it involves lifting so much weight and needs a place to retract to, this type of arrangement is usually reserved for large exotic designs where there is sufficient space for all of the necessary machinery and storage.Swing keels are more typical on small boats. Catalina made the design popular on their 22's and 25's. With this design, most or all of the ballast is contained in a fin that pivots up and down. Advantages: makes the boat trailerable; gives flexibility of shallow draft. Disadvantages: in an accident, all of your ballast can be lost or swinging around under your boat; mechanical problems w/cables, cranks.Centerboard boats usually combine some type of shallow stub keel with a relatively light centerboard that swings like a swing keel. Examples: Oday 22, 23, 25; Rhodes 22. Advantages: good draft, internal ballast, usually sail more like fin keel boats than swing keel boats do; disadvantages: centerboard can stick, break, etc.All other things being equal, a boat with a swing keel or centerboard will not point as high and will be more tender than a true fin keel boat.