New Swing Keel Sailor

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Don K.

I have had boats with fin keels and full keels and now I have a boat with a swing keel and I need your help. When should the keel be all the way up,part way down,all the way down,in heavy air,and light air? With my keel boats I just tuned my sails and now decisions,decisions. I need some help. My boat is a Chrysler 26 with a fixed keel 2' 3" 1150lbs with a 850lbs swing keel. Thanks in advance.
 
M

MArk

Another knob to tweek

Don, Not all swing keels are created equal. Some with all ballast on the board should be locked down whenever the sails are up. Others with most or all of the ballast on or in the hull are more flexible. Most boats with unballasted boards sail better in strong winds with the board part way up to balance the helm and they almost always go faster downwind with the board just barely exposed. What make and model boat do you have? Happy Mardi Gras, MArk
 
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Bruce Boe

a few ideas

First, there's the issue of pinning the keel down or not. In general, if in shallow waters, with a chance of bottoming out, most people opt not to. If you're in heavy chop or near motorboats, you may want to lockdown due to the negative effects of inertia (ie, keel bashing)- in which case you won't be adjusting anything. Also, some say that a swing keel cannot be counted on to self-right a boat if it's not pinned down. If you're in heavy stuff, it's less obnoxious and safer. As far as playing the keel on different points of sail: keep it fully lowered when pointing; fully retracted on a run (less wetted area, and the boat is already sitting relatively flat). Just be on your toes for a broach if you catch a puff. As mentioned about self-righting, you are vulnerable in this position. When reaching, you can play with the keel partially retracted if you need to fine tune the helm balance- though you'd better check your rig balance first (mostly mast rake in relation to sailplan).
 
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Bob

You Tahoe guys

think you know all the answers. If you pin the keel down, then when the boat turns turtle you'll have something to hold onto, bro.
 
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