Hi - We are interested in purchasing a 2001 Catalina 36 with a wing keel, and are hoping to learn about its windward performance. Our present boat has a fin keel and performs very well - we like the Catalina but don't want to sacrifice performance. Thoughts? Thanks!
Sailing wing keel to windward?
- Thread starter adelboat
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Those keels WILL not go to windward like your current keel. Simple: 25 years of reports.
If you like the boat and are cruisers, NOT an issue.
Why are you asking?
If performance is your greatest concern, then stick with the deeper fin keel models.
If you sail in a predominently shallow areas then that's the advantage of a shoal draft wing keel. We sail our 5 foot 3" fin keel in the thin water of the Chesapeake Bay without much problem. If I were sailing around Southern Florida, the keys & Carribean then shoal is the way to go. But I see you're in the Northeast, so are shoals really an issue?
If you sail in a predominently shallow areas then that's the advantage of a shoal draft wing keel. We sail our 5 foot 3" fin keel in the thin water of the Chesapeake Bay without much problem. If I were sailing around Southern Florida, the keys & Carribean then shoal is the way to go. But I see you're in the Northeast, so are shoals really an issue?
Yep, winged keels do not perform to weather well at all in comparison to a fin keel. End of story.
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