Sailing with the keel up

[David Wilson]

Has anyone done any sailing with the swing keel up? Are there times when it is a good idea? What are the dangers? Obviously turning over in heavy wind would be one. I motor with it up, if I'm going any distance. I think in moderate winds I feel like I'm going faster, but with less control and more possible side-slipping. What's the conventional wisdom on this?

 

[Dave]

Conventional wisdom

Hi There,Conventional Wisdom I guess would say, if you want to play around with your boat to find it's best performance then I would say go ahead but not for long. especially sailing on the east coast.If I would choose to sail with the keel up, or let's say the keel is locked in the up position with no way to get it down short of hauling it out. Then I would reef my sails accordingly. If you have a furling jib then reduce your exposure. With the keel up you will find the boat sailing more sideways then forward in some situations. For the most part I would sail with it downHope this helps,Dave

 

[MJ]

Get a speed boat...

...if speed is your thing. If you like to sail, then put it down. I can't believe that there are many shoaling problems in Maine!

 

[Larry]

Keel up or down?

David; Here's how I used to do mine. Sailing downwind or motoring, board up. Reaching, board about halfway, beating, board all the way down and locked.

 

[Michael McCann]

Keel up Sailing?

David;Sailing with the keel in any position except all the way down (and locked?) is asking for a disaster to happen. I have never (nor would I ever) had a boat with a swing keel so I don't know if they lock in the down position. I have read of boats turtling because the keel was allowed to swing to the up position during a broach. I believe it would broach easier without the keel in the proper position.

 

[Bob Moss]

Keel up

I often put the board up on my 22 when running in fairly calm water around Charleston, S.C. You definately go faster. Once, I got hit by a sudden squall doing that and had to dive below real fast.If the keel goes up while heeled, the boat could go down.Motoring with the keel up on fairly calm water with no canvas out is very safe in the Cat 22.