Has anyone looked into the possibility of lengthening the O'Oay 32 winged keel? I think it would have better upwind performance if the keel is 2 feet longer. Does anyone know how this could be accomplished?
O'Day 32 keel extension modification
- Thread starter Brian.bean
- Start date
Contact Mars Metal at marskeel.com. They do that kind of thing but I'm guessing you'll find it very cost prohibitive.
The 32 did not have a wing-keel, only offered with fin-keel or shallower keel/centerboard.
The wing keel (Hydrokeel) on the later 322 and 302 was designed to be just as it is, adding length is not really possible and would most likey throw the balance of the boat off by moving the center of lateral resistance aft. The vertical fin of hte wing-keel will develop lift as it moves and that prevents leeway. Also if you make it longer fore and aft the boat would not turn as easily. See below info from the 302 Brochure (pretty much the same was in the 322 Brochure.)
The wing keel (Hydrokeel) on the later 322 and 302 was designed to be just as it is, adding length is not really possible and would most likey throw the balance of the boat off by moving the center of lateral resistance aft. The vertical fin of hte wing-keel will develop lift as it moves and that prevents leeway. Also if you make it longer fore and aft the boat would not turn as easily. See below info from the 302 Brochure (pretty much the same was in the 322 Brochure.)
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Sunbird is exactly right. I've not sailed on a 322, but I have sailed on a 302 which is a dream boat to sail both at the helm and to sail on as a passenger. I thought you surely must be talking about the 322 as it was the only 32 with a winged keel....I have always felt that no boat of our size is perfect...there are trade-offs, etc....but I've been thankful to have my winged keel many times...it does open up our lake anchorages, offering a rather shallow draft allowing you to explore places other boats dare not travel....before changing the wing in any way, I would consider it better for you to buy another boat vs. modifying the very thing that makes the boat so impressive...i.e. relative shallow draft and great sailing characteristics. Everything is relative.