I'm about to purchase a new 331 and need to decide on the shoal or standard keel. I will mostly sail locally in the Hudson with 1-2 East Coast trips per year. I'm looking for comments and thoughts from anyone who has considered or sailed either. I appreciate any response.
- Status
Steve:
I too am looking at a new 331. From what I have read, the lead shoal keel tends to cause the bow to sit low in the water when the water tank is full. The standard keel apparently does not cause this. This seems to have more effect on appearance than performance. Would also like to hear opinions from 331 owners.
I too am looking at a new 331. From what I have read, the lead shoal keel tends to cause the bow to sit low in the water when the water tank is full. The standard keel apparently does not cause this. This seems to have more effect on appearance than performance. Would also like to hear opinions from 331 owners.
give the archives a search
I remember there being some good discussions about this in the past. Also, check sailnet. The racing forum has had some good discussion about the performance merits/non-merits of the 331 (is this the model with the jib-sheet leads on the toe rail? :>( ). IMO, the deep keel isn't that deep (5'5") to keep you from too many good harbors. Go deeper, go better to windward, look better, and stay in 6' of water or better.
I remember there being some good discussions about this in the past. Also, check sailnet. The racing forum has had some good discussion about the performance merits/non-merits of the 331 (is this the model with the jib-sheet leads on the toe rail? :>( ). IMO, the deep keel isn't that deep (5'5") to keep you from too many good harbors. Go deeper, go better to windward, look better, and stay in 6' of water or better.
I like shoal
I have the shoal draft keel on my 331. I have found that the actual draft is 4 ft. 8 in. rather than the claimed 4 ft. 3 in. so the draft difference compared to the standard keel is not that great. I like having a lead keel vs the iron that you get when you order the standard keel. As far as pointing ability goes I doubt there would be much difference - my boat points very well. I think the lead keel will be easier to maintain and will be a plus at resale time.
I have the shoal draft keel on my 331. I have found that the actual draft is 4 ft. 8 in. rather than the claimed 4 ft. 3 in. so the draft difference compared to the standard keel is not that great. I like having a lead keel vs the iron that you get when you order the standard keel. As far as pointing ability goes I doubt there would be much difference - my boat points very well. I think the lead keel will be easier to maintain and will be a plus at resale time.
Deep keel 331
I chose the deep keel and traditional main because I also race my 331. The way I see it the boat was designed for the deeper keel, anything else will result in some sort of compromise in performance. I have sailed both the shoal draft and deep keel versions of the 331. The shoal draft does not point as well and is not as siff in a breeze above 15 knts. I race on the Chesapeake Bay, generally pretty shallow. I don't care what keel depth is when I see my depth meter approaching single digits I get out of there, so 5' 5" suites me fine. By the way this is a fast boat!
I chose the deep keel and traditional main because I also race my 331. The way I see it the boat was designed for the deeper keel, anything else will result in some sort of compromise in performance. I have sailed both the shoal draft and deep keel versions of the 331. The shoal draft does not point as well and is not as siff in a breeze above 15 knts. I race on the Chesapeake Bay, generally pretty shallow. I don't care what keel depth is when I see my depth meter approaching single digits I get out of there, so 5' 5" suites me fine. By the way this is a fast boat!
Attachments
Beneteau 331 Keels
We purchased a new B 331 in April 2003. We opted for the shallow keel, which was originally listed at 4'3" but is close to 4'10". I have not sailed the other keels, but our boat had a first season that was excellent. Boat sailed well and was a big improvement over our Catalina 30 for covering real distance on vacation. We spent 2 weeks on L.I. Sound and boat performed flawlessly in all conditions. Even 35 knot squall. I prefer the shallow keel as it is lead instead of iron. Less potential problems of rust, failed keel bolts, etc. If draft is a consideration I do not think you loose much with the shallower keel. One word of advice. The best money we spent was on the Yanmar diesel. Smoother than Westerbeke, quieter, more compact package. With 3 bladed prop we easily averaged 6 knots + a long days while motoring on vacation (L.I. Sound has little wind in August)!
We purchased a new B 331 in April 2003. We opted for the shallow keel, which was originally listed at 4'3" but is close to 4'10". I have not sailed the other keels, but our boat had a first season that was excellent. Boat sailed well and was a big improvement over our Catalina 30 for covering real distance on vacation. We spent 2 weeks on L.I. Sound and boat performed flawlessly in all conditions. Even 35 knot squall. I prefer the shallow keel as it is lead instead of iron. Less potential problems of rust, failed keel bolts, etc. If draft is a consideration I do not think you loose much with the shallower keel. One word of advice. The best money we spent was on the Yanmar diesel. Smoother than Westerbeke, quieter, more compact package. With 3 bladed prop we easily averaged 6 knots + a long days while motoring on vacation (L.I. Sound has little wind in August)!
- Status