I need some viewpoints regarding the sailing/motoring characteristics of the 260 with the keel up. It seems to me that since it really isn't carrying the ballast, the keel doesn't contribute much to keeping the boat upright, and is more to resist lateral movement. From a practical sense, how big of an issue is this with no sail up (just freeboard catching the wind). We're considering puttering around the Texas ICW, but the charts suggest the keel would be up more than down, and we are wondering if it would be more hassle than its worth.
Keel-up sailing
- Thread starter Mike Davis
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Keel hauling.
I find the boat has less roll if the keel is left down while motoring BUT there is nothing wrong with raising it to do so. alan
I find the boat has less roll if the keel is left down while motoring BUT there is nothing wrong with raising it to do so. alan
keel up, keel down
I have found that when under sail it really depends on your point of sail. When you are running downwind or close to it, raising the keel will actually increase your speed a little without affecting leeway. once your wind is abeam or forward, the leeway becomes too much with the keel up. Motoring I don't see where it effects the boat either way except as Alan pointed out, the keel down dampens rolling.
I have found that when under sail it really depends on your point of sail. When you are running downwind or close to it, raising the keel will actually increase your speed a little without affecting leeway. once your wind is abeam or forward, the leeway becomes too much with the keel up. Motoring I don't see where it effects the boat either way except as Alan pointed out, the keel down dampens rolling.
Decision time
Thanks, folks. Sort of what I figured, but I guess I was hoping that someone would say that even motoring without the keel down was miserable, making our decision easier. As it sounds, motoring is fine, sailing probably not. Guess the whole point is that I bought a sail boat, not a motor boat, for a reason. Probably find somewhere else to smell the salt.
Thanks, folks. Sort of what I figured, but I guess I was hoping that someone would say that even motoring without the keel down was miserable, making our decision easier. As it sounds, motoring is fine, sailing probably not. Guess the whole point is that I bought a sail boat, not a motor boat, for a reason. Probably find somewhere else to smell the salt.
Not at all.
You can still sail with minimal leeway if the keel is partly down. On Long Island, we have what's call the State Boat Channel. Very narrow with marsh a few feet away but deep enough for the keel to be down. Can be sailed under the right conditions (never on a weekend), makes for great sight seeing. Even motoring can be nice. alan
You can still sail with minimal leeway if the keel is partly down. On Long Island, we have what's call the State Boat Channel. Very narrow with marsh a few feet away but deep enough for the keel to be down. Can be sailed under the right conditions (never on a weekend), makes for great sight seeing. Even motoring can be nice. alan
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