I am about to purchase a 1987 Hunter 31. Most of the boats on the market are the standard fin keel with 5ft 6in draft. The boat I am most interested in is the shoal draft model, which I understand is a shorter fin with 200 lbs extra ballast. Does anyone have any experience to share regarding performance of the shoal keel model? I would guess it won't point as high, will drift a bit off course, and with the extra weight won't be as fast in light air, but I am hoping that overall the performance is still good. thanks Rick
- Status
fin vs. shoal
The fin will always out perform the shoal in pointing. If water depth is an issue, well, that's what they make them for. If not, I would go for the fin.
The fin will always out perform the shoal in pointing. If water depth is an issue, well, that's what they make them for. If not, I would go for the fin.
I had a shoal draft keel for six years...
I bought a new Hunter 35.5 in the early 1990s which had a shoal keel, with bulb and fins. I raced the boat in local races against C&Cs, J35s and J36s, a Septre 36, a couple of Peasons and several Sabres. There were also the usual flock of Cal 25s and Catalinas 27 and 30. There may have been some other boats that I don't remember. After three years of racing this boat, we won "boat of the year" for the best percentage of winning in all types of races including overnight and distance racing. You are correct that the boat won't point as well but it sure sails fast-you'll need to keep it upright. One possiblility for us was that because we couldn't point with the rest of the fleet we would be off by ourselves and had clear air while the rest of them slugged it out in a bunch. Just a possibility. One thing many people do not mention is that down wind was the fastest leg for us. I believe the wings really assisted in that area. Move the crew aft and the boat flew. Deep keels may point better but that alone does not make a racing boat nor a cruiser. Hope this helps.
I bought a new Hunter 35.5 in the early 1990s which had a shoal keel, with bulb and fins. I raced the boat in local races against C&Cs, J35s and J36s, a Septre 36, a couple of Peasons and several Sabres. There were also the usual flock of Cal 25s and Catalinas 27 and 30. There may have been some other boats that I don't remember. After three years of racing this boat, we won "boat of the year" for the best percentage of winning in all types of races including overnight and distance racing. You are correct that the boat won't point as well but it sure sails fast-you'll need to keep it upright. One possiblility for us was that because we couldn't point with the rest of the fleet we would be off by ourselves and had clear air while the rest of them slugged it out in a bunch. Just a possibility. One thing many people do not mention is that down wind was the fastest leg for us. I believe the wings really assisted in that area. Move the crew aft and the boat flew. Deep keels may point better but that alone does not make a racing boat nor a cruiser. Hope this helps.
Agree with Les
Shoal draft's don't point as well but that is relative to the model. It could still point better than another boat with a fin keel. And they can gunkhole where a fin keel only wishes it could go.
Shoal draft's don't point as well but that is relative to the model. It could still point better than another boat with a fin keel. And they can gunkhole where a fin keel only wishes it could go.
Performance
If you are more interested in performance and the difference in draft isn't an issue, then look for the deep keel version. If you need the shoal draft, maybe to get in and out of shallow areas every weekend, but still want performance then do all you can to improve the bottom and keel finish; get a folding or feathering prop and a decent set of performance sails. Learn to make the most of reaching and running legs in a race and use tactics that favor the shoal draft;ie, sail in shallower water closer to the shore against an unfavorable current. The shoal draft version typically cant beat the deep keel version, even with the higher rating. I'd venture to guess that Les Blackwell would probably win in either a shoal draft or a deep draft boat, probably because he works harder at it and knows what he's doing. Follow his lead.
If you are more interested in performance and the difference in draft isn't an issue, then look for the deep keel version. If you need the shoal draft, maybe to get in and out of shallow areas every weekend, but still want performance then do all you can to improve the bottom and keel finish; get a folding or feathering prop and a decent set of performance sails. Learn to make the most of reaching and running legs in a race and use tactics that favor the shoal draft;ie, sail in shallower water closer to the shore against an unfavorable current. The shoal draft version typically cant beat the deep keel version, even with the higher rating. I'd venture to guess that Les Blackwell would probably win in either a shoal draft or a deep draft boat, probably because he works harder at it and knows what he's doing. Follow his lead.
- Status