What did he mean when he said this?

Aug 19, 2021
508
Hunter 280 White House Cove Marina
One of the reasons I purchased my hunter 280 was the wing keel and a 3' 6" draft.

At this time in my life, I am not a blue water sailor. My plans are mostly day and weekend trips in the Chesapeake Bay, where numerous anchorages are shallow and many marinas including mine that are very shallow. The shallow draft is perfect for my needs.
 
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Apr 3, 2020
191
Hunter 23.5 Frenchtown, MT
I've found that most sailing magazines, and especially that one, tend to have a philosophy that any sailboat should be capable of blue water, ocean crossing voyages. Anything that doesn't meet the standard is less than acceptable. Of course, that's fine if that's how you intend to use your toy.
Here in Montana, we don't often get 20' seas, most voyages are round trip with maybe a night or two of anchoring out if you're lucky, and every ramp into any body of water is set up for 16' runabout/fishing power boats. I'm aware of exactly two actual lifts capable of hauling a sailboat in the entire state, and one of those is just a truck mounted crane that must be scheduled a month or two in advance. For ME and my toy requirements, I don't need and wouldn't be able use a blue water boat.
In any case, getting upset over someone else's opinion is an excercise in futility. If your boat makes YOU happy, then life is good.
 
Jun 21, 2004
2,921
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Like all boats out on the water, if they preform to your desired expectations be happy. If not trade up or forego the water and get a Harley.
I like that. That's a quotable quote!!
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,456
-na -NA Anywhere USA
As a former Catalina/Capri dealer, I was asked by Frank Butler of Catalina whether or not to add a wing keel.
On trailer ability::
1. Easier to launch and retrieve vs. Finn keel
2. Center of gravity lower on trailer vs. finn
3. Flat bottom of wing keel on keel tray.
4. Less windage when towing

As for sailing on inland lakes and east coast, depths are more shallow than the west coast and deep water lakes. As for racing, I found both the wing keel and Finn keel competitive but it depended on a person’s knowledge of the boat, knowledge of the sailing area and of course experience.

I sold more wing keel vs Finn keel Capri sailboats
Crazy Dave Condon
American Marine & Sail Supply
 
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Sep 25, 2018
259
Catalina Capri 22 Capri EXPO 14.2 1282 Stony Point
Love the wing on my Capri 22. Let me keep the boat at a cheap shallow water marina. May point up less but not important unless you are racing. I race myself so I never lose even with the wing keel
 
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