Swing Keel Offshore
- Thread starter Don K.
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Swing Keel Off Shore!
In the absence of more information, I'd say BE VERY CAREFUL! Pick your weather carefully. Plan your escape to sheltered waters in advance. It really depends on your skill, planning and your destination. If you really want useful information on this site or any other, you need to pose the question with sufficient background information. Offshore means different things to different people. Are you planning on sailing to Mexico or are you talking about hopping down the coast? What is your experience? How is your boat equipped? Without more information, I'd say if you can't see land, then you have gone too far. Jon
In the absence of more information, I'd say BE VERY CAREFUL! Pick your weather carefully. Plan your escape to sheltered waters in advance. It really depends on your skill, planning and your destination. If you really want useful information on this site or any other, you need to pose the question with sufficient background information. Offshore means different things to different people. Are you planning on sailing to Mexico or are you talking about hopping down the coast? What is your experience? How is your boat equipped? Without more information, I'd say if you can't see land, then you have gone too far. Jon
H
higgs
G
gary
CRAZY
Your boat was not designed for off shore sailing. Inland, protected waters is the best you can expect.
Your boat was not designed for off shore sailing. Inland, protected waters is the best you can expect.
What do you mean "off Shore"
If you are talking about running the 30 miles from Panama City to Port Saint Joe then in good weather it would be a reasonable risk. If you are heading to Isla Mujeres think again. I had a helsen 22 and it was definately a lake boat. The swing keel banged around in choppy conditions and a couple of times it came up when we were heeled. My boat didn't have a way to lock the keel down. So I would normally raise the keel in rough conditions and give up a lot of pointing ability. Even if it could have been locked down there was side to side motion that would be extrme in big waves.IMHO a swing keel is for a lake or bay boat. That one bolt supporting the keel would take a lot of stress even in moderate conditions of 4-6' waves. The worst part is that often the worst conditions are near the pass when the current is running out against incoming wind and waves. Tom
If you are talking about running the 30 miles from Panama City to Port Saint Joe then in good weather it would be a reasonable risk. If you are heading to Isla Mujeres think again. I had a helsen 22 and it was definately a lake boat. The swing keel banged around in choppy conditions and a couple of times it came up when we were heeled. My boat didn't have a way to lock the keel down. So I would normally raise the keel in rough conditions and give up a lot of pointing ability. Even if it could have been locked down there was side to side motion that would be extrme in big waves.IMHO a swing keel is for a lake or bay boat. That one bolt supporting the keel would take a lot of stress even in moderate conditions of 4-6' waves. The worst part is that often the worst conditions are near the pass when the current is running out against incoming wind and waves. Tom
P
PaulK
Swingers
There was a story a few years ago about a Fast 40 sailing to Bermuda that lost its drop keel along the way. The bolt(s)? holding the daggerboard-like design with a weighted bulb sheared off about three days out from the U.S. coast. They capsized and the boat sank. Luckily, the two people aboard were picked up by a cruiseship shortly afterwards. It probably didn't seem like such a short time to them. More recently is the story of the canting-keel on Skandia, I believe, in the 2004 Sydney-Hobart race. Her canting mechanism broke in the race last month, they withdrew from the race, and the keel subsequently fell off. I'm not sure if they were towed in right side up or upside down. Centerboard boats have made lots of long voyages even after damaging or losing their boards, but they don't depend upon the board's weight to stabilize the boat the way moveable keels do. If you're planning to head out of sight of land, it would be well to REALLY check thoroughly everything heavy that might move on your boat, and make sure it doesn't. The best way to do this might be to find a boat with a fixed keel.
There was a story a few years ago about a Fast 40 sailing to Bermuda that lost its drop keel along the way. The bolt(s)? holding the daggerboard-like design with a weighted bulb sheared off about three days out from the U.S. coast. They capsized and the boat sank. Luckily, the two people aboard were picked up by a cruiseship shortly afterwards. It probably didn't seem like such a short time to them. More recently is the story of the canting-keel on Skandia, I believe, in the 2004 Sydney-Hobart race. Her canting mechanism broke in the race last month, they withdrew from the race, and the keel subsequently fell off. I'm not sure if they were towed in right side up or upside down. Centerboard boats have made lots of long voyages even after damaging or losing their boards, but they don't depend upon the board's weight to stabilize the boat the way moveable keels do. If you're planning to head out of sight of land, it would be well to REALLY check thoroughly everything heavy that might move on your boat, and make sure it doesn't. The best way to do this might be to find a boat with a fixed keel.
H
Henry Flack
Chrysler 22 experience in St Joe Bay
I have a C-22 with a heavy swing keel located in Mexico Beach. These past two years, we have sailed the area from Crooked Island all the was back in St Joe bay. In heavy weather, we would be in for a rough ride. The first time we were in 8 - 10 foot seas and experiencing air under the keel, my wife turned to me and asked in her most gentile manner, "DO YOU CALL THIS FUN??!!" We have since had much better times, but have learned the weather limitations of our boat. I cannot see a C-26 being much better in rough conditions. We recently bought a Glander Tavana for our more adventurous sailing and have semi-retired the Chrysler.
I have a C-22 with a heavy swing keel located in Mexico Beach. These past two years, we have sailed the area from Crooked Island all the was back in St Joe bay. In heavy weather, we would be in for a rough ride. The first time we were in 8 - 10 foot seas and experiencing air under the keel, my wife turned to me and asked in her most gentile manner, "DO YOU CALL THIS FUN??!!" We have since had much better times, but have learned the weather limitations of our boat. I cannot see a C-26 being much better in rough conditions. We recently bought a Glander Tavana for our more adventurous sailing and have semi-retired the Chrysler.
D
Droop
Here is the problem
I sailed a SJ-21 in the Delaware Bay in 10 feet sea. You'll damage the keel well fiberglass. Water will leak into the wood that supports the keel bolt and you boat will leak. The wood will swell and the leak will stop after a couple weeks in the water, but! the wood will rot! Buy a fixed keel boat!
I sailed a SJ-21 in the Delaware Bay in 10 feet sea. You'll damage the keel well fiberglass. Water will leak into the wood that supports the keel bolt and you boat will leak. The wood will swell and the leak will stop after a couple weeks in the water, but! the wood will rot! Buy a fixed keel boat!
M
mike
just use a tad commen sense
Make sure your boat is in good shape, your sailing skills are decient and boat fairly equipped and than GO!!!! Even if it is to mexico or mexico beach florida, get out, live life and enjoy the adventure. It ends quite suddenly and usually with no warning. If your journey ends while at sea than it is YOUR choice to be there, blame no one but yourself. If you live to a ripe old age with no adventures under your belt than again, blame no one but yourself. stop watching life and stop listening to those who are afraid to throw down the dock lines. Sailing requires more desire than the useless crap that is always being sold to us to actually enjoy.
Make sure your boat is in good shape, your sailing skills are decient and boat fairly equipped and than GO!!!! Even if it is to mexico or mexico beach florida, get out, live life and enjoy the adventure. It ends quite suddenly and usually with no warning. If your journey ends while at sea than it is YOUR choice to be there, blame no one but yourself. If you live to a ripe old age with no adventures under your belt than again, blame no one but yourself. stop watching life and stop listening to those who are afraid to throw down the dock lines. Sailing requires more desire than the useless crap that is always being sold to us to actually enjoy.
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