The same except
a shoal keel is not as efficient a wing shape as a full keel. The result is typically less ability to point into the wind, and more sideways "leeway" when you do so. Both effects make it harder to move upwind. Not a big problem when cruising, but a real penalty on the windward leg of a race course. I have not heard of any problems tacking, though - you are just swinging a few more degrees as you come about. Modern shoal keels include design features (like wings) to minimize these effects. Of course, our 3' 3" draft allows us to "gunkhole" almost anywhere. And a 5' 6" draft is much more likely to find a new sandbank at the entrance to our harbor and pirouette there until they come free. In summary, you trade a few degrees of pointing ability for access to shallow waters. David Lady Lillie '77 h27 shoal draft
