We currently have a 290 and are moving up to a 340 shortly. There is an available 340 that is perfect for us - only problem is - it has a deep keel. The draft on the deep is 6' while the shoal is 3'6'. We currently do most of our sailing on the ICW around Dragon's Point where the river is wide - plenty of water. The marina that has the boat for sale has suggested that they can change out the keel - giving us a shoal keel istead. We have never heard of this before and need some some advice from sailors - both in changing a keel or keeping the deep (our slip has 12' of water).
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Deep Keel Points Closer
We draw 5'8" loaded on our 83 H-30 and have sailed a H-30 shoal keel. The fin sails 5 to 10 degrees closer to the wind,we are able to pinch in heavy wind at 10 to 15 degrees. The water is shallow in western Lake Erie with shoals,You have to spend time with the charts. I have seen a deep keel changed to a shoal bulb wing, but would suggest you sail the deep keel before you make the change.
We draw 5'8" loaded on our 83 H-30 and have sailed a H-30 shoal keel. The fin sails 5 to 10 degrees closer to the wind,we are able to pinch in heavy wind at 10 to 15 degrees. The water is shallow in western Lake Erie with shoals,You have to spend time with the charts. I have seen a deep keel changed to a shoal bulb wing, but would suggest you sail the deep keel before you make the change.
Shoal vs Deep
Marian, Hi! IMHO if you want to go cruiseing, get the shoal draft in-mast furling. If you want to race go for the deep keel full batten main. My 320 draws 4'4" and it still gets my attention every now and then. Since the Hunter keels are bolted on, there shouldn't be a problem changing the keel if they know what they are doing and have the proper tools/skill sets. The ICW, Keys, and Bahamas are shoal draft areas. You can do it with a six foot draft but you will find a lot of places that will really make you nervous and that ain't fun. Kent S/V Giggles
Marian, Hi! IMHO if you want to go cruiseing, get the shoal draft in-mast furling. If you want to race go for the deep keel full batten main. My 320 draws 4'4" and it still gets my attention every now and then. Since the Hunter keels are bolted on, there shouldn't be a problem changing the keel if they know what they are doing and have the proper tools/skill sets. The ICW, Keys, and Bahamas are shoal draft areas. You can do it with a six foot draft but you will find a lot of places that will really make you nervous and that ain't fun. Kent S/V Giggles
are they going to do this for free?
Marian: are they going to do this for free? This is usually too expensive an upgrade except on large custom boats. If you have plenty of water, why worry about it. Remember when you are stuck with a wing keel you are really stuck (keel, wing and all). I believe that you will find that your rudder is also more susceptible to grounding too. The deep keel always point better. The only advantage to the shoal keel is that you can sail in slightly shallower waters. I would not necessarily believe the specs on length of either keel. They must measure them with a bare hull in a water tank or it's just a calculation. The boats almost always draugh more than the published depth.
Marian: are they going to do this for free? This is usually too expensive an upgrade except on large custom boats. If you have plenty of water, why worry about it. Remember when you are stuck with a wing keel you are really stuck (keel, wing and all). I believe that you will find that your rudder is also more susceptible to grounding too. The deep keel always point better. The only advantage to the shoal keel is that you can sail in slightly shallower waters. I would not necessarily believe the specs on length of either keel. They must measure them with a bare hull in a water tank or it's just a calculation. The boats almost always draugh more than the published depth.
Bilge Keels?
Are the bilge keels available here in the States? They just introduced them in England this past May. They draw 3'10" like the shoal but when heeled to 20 degrees this increses to 4'9". I read that there is a neglgible difference in pointing ability but the twin keel has a slightly higher angle of vanishing stability at 125 degrees and better stability at 15 degrees.
Are the bilge keels available here in the States? They just introduced them in England this past May. They draw 3'10" like the shoal but when heeled to 20 degrees this increses to 4'9". I read that there is a neglgible difference in pointing ability but the twin keel has a slightly higher angle of vanishing stability at 125 degrees and better stability at 15 degrees.
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