Am ready to purchase H33...dealer has one Deep Keel; would have to order for shoal keel. What are the performance differences between the two? Thanks.
Performance: Deep vs Shoal Keel
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Deep Keel VS Shoal Draft
You should typically expect a deep draft fin keel to point at least 5-7 degrees higher and sail marginally faster than the shoal draft version. The deeper wing shape is more efficient. The shoal draft is more tender, even with 500 more pounds of weight. You should anticipate that if the leading edges of each keel are located in the same point on the hull, the shoal draft keel is longer; has a center of lateral resistance further aft and higher up; and therefore will promote weather helm sooner as the wind picks up. Because of this, you might set up a shoal draft boat with a smaller Genoa and be slower in light airs as well. If you want to race the boat, look up the PHRF numbers for both and expect the deep keel to be at least 6 to 10 seconds a mile faster. Of course if you always sail in shallower waters, the 12- 18" typical depth difference may be more meaningfull to you as well. If the shoal draft is a 'wing' keel, which it may be on newer boats, I feel there is a distinct disadvantage if you ever run aground - it's a great anchor on a falling tide. I first owned a 3' deep shoal draft Hunter 25 and now own a 5'-2" deep draft Hunter 28.5 which is set up for performance, so that's my particular bias. I'm sure you will see other opinions and valid points here as well
You should typically expect a deep draft fin keel to point at least 5-7 degrees higher and sail marginally faster than the shoal draft version. The deeper wing shape is more efficient. The shoal draft is more tender, even with 500 more pounds of weight. You should anticipate that if the leading edges of each keel are located in the same point on the hull, the shoal draft keel is longer; has a center of lateral resistance further aft and higher up; and therefore will promote weather helm sooner as the wind picks up. Because of this, you might set up a shoal draft boat with a smaller Genoa and be slower in light airs as well. If you want to race the boat, look up the PHRF numbers for both and expect the deep keel to be at least 6 to 10 seconds a mile faster. Of course if you always sail in shallower waters, the 12- 18" typical depth difference may be more meaningfull to you as well. If the shoal draft is a 'wing' keel, which it may be on newer boats, I feel there is a distinct disadvantage if you ever run aground - it's a great anchor on a falling tide. I first owned a 3' deep shoal draft Hunter 25 and now own a 5'-2" deep draft Hunter 28.5 which is set up for performance, so that's my particular bias. I'm sure you will see other opinions and valid points here as well
Go Deep!
I own an old 33 and I know the designs are not comparable, but I would give anything for a deeper keel! The shoal draft doesn't point for S#!^ and as was previously mentioned has much more weather helm than it should. If you don't absolutely need the reduced draft, go deep!
I own an old 33 and I know the designs are not comparable, but I would give anything for a deeper keel! The shoal draft doesn't point for S#!^ and as was previously mentioned has much more weather helm than it should. If you don't absolutely need the reduced draft, go deep!
J
Jeremy
Pointing
RE: Pointing I have a new '04 33 shoal draft and it points really well!! Let's not talk about down wind - must run at 150 degrees to wind and jibe a lot. But for pointing the boat is great!
RE: Pointing I have a new '04 33 shoal draft and it points really well!! Let's not talk about down wind - must run at 150 degrees to wind and jibe a lot. But for pointing the boat is great!
Measured Tacking Angle?
If you sail close hauled on port tack in a moderate and consistent breeze, say 10 knots;check your compass reading and tack over and trim on the other tack;then take the second reading. I'd be surprised if a wing keel 33 or an older shoal draft 33 can point within a 90 degree tacking angle. Without a measurement, OR without sailing a shoal draft against a comparable deep keel boat, I don't believe you have a reasonable comparison.
If you sail close hauled on port tack in a moderate and consistent breeze, say 10 knots;check your compass reading and tack over and trim on the other tack;then take the second reading. I'd be surprised if a wing keel 33 or an older shoal draft 33 can point within a 90 degree tacking angle. Without a measurement, OR without sailing a shoal draft against a comparable deep keel boat, I don't believe you have a reasonable comparison.
A deep keel will always point better than a draft.
end of conversation.. However, here in the pacific we don't have any troubles with shallow waters unlike the southeast. Most people have deep keels. However, if I were in Florida I would probably get a draft keel. Abe
end of conversation.. However, here in the pacific we don't have any troubles with shallow waters unlike the southeast. Most people have deep keels. However, if I were in Florida I would probably get a draft keel. Abe
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