wing or fin keel

[Steve k]

I have always sailed on a full keel sailboat. I'm looking for another Catalina 30 boat that has a wing keel. Could somebody tell me about the performance and stability differences with the wing keel? This is a tall rig vessel.
Thanks,
Steve k

 

[mortyd]

i'm guessing you have no replies because people don't understand the question. if you need a wing keel stability has nothing to do with it.

 

[Steve k]

I'm sorry. What I meant to say I had swing and fin keel boats 25' and under. I'm having to make a tough choice between two Catalina 30's a 1984 fin keel in very good condition with all 2 year old sails, rigging, electronics and has a 18 hp. diesel with 2025 hours on it.
The other is a 1988 wing keel boat in fair condition with sails that are 5 years old, very good electronics and a 25 hp. diesel with 526 hours on it. I like the cockpit on the 1988 much better there is a T-shape that gives plenty of room around the steering wheel. It has four windows in the cabin that open and a window style front v-birth hatch.
Any advise on this would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve K

 

[Spindrift NH]

Probably wouldn't know the difference

Unless you're racing, you probably wouldn't experience much difference between the wing and the fin keel. But the tee cockpit is nice!
A couple other upgrades included in the '88 design, there is no plywood in the bilge, therefore no Catalina smile, if I understand correctly the wiring is improved, and I like the 23 hp engine!

ps: Recently on a day with 15 knott winds and one reef in the main, I was sailing at 40 degrees off the wind at 4.6 knotts. My sails are 15 years old!

 

[Steve k]

Thanks for the feedback. The windows on the 1988 make the boat look so much newer. I go for a the Sea Trial this weekend. The boat was hard to shift into and out gear. I'm hoping it's just a trans cable. I've just joined the Forum and it has been extremely helpful.
Thanks!
Steve K

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Steve,

there was a previous thread on wing vs. keel.
I chimed in with my take on this.

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=163796&highlight=wing+keel

CR

 

[Loubert]

?....
A couple other upgrades included in the '88 design, there is no plywood in the bilge, therefore no Catalina smile....

Unfortunately for me, that is not quite true. My 1988 (hull #5188) did still have plywood in the bilge. I replaced it shortly after I bought the boat.

 

[Steve k]

Thanks for the info I will check the hull number.
Steve K

 

[Spindrift NH]

Unfortunately for me, that is not quite true. My 1988 (hull #5188) did still have plywood in the bilge. I replaced it shortly after I bought the boat.

I am hull 5360, I would say that I don't have any definitive proof that I don't have plywood in the bilge but I can't see any indication that there is a problem. All appears to be solid.
I did have to repair the compression block as it was rotten, still a common problem with this vintage.
An additional common issue you might want to check out are the engine stringers/motor mount lag bolts. Catalina used a wood block inside the stringers to hold the lag bolts that secure the motor mounts. Mine were rotten so the motor was floating around. I fastened aluminum plates to the top of the stringers and bolted the motor mounts to the aluminum.
As with any production boat there will be problems but my wife and I love the boat, we frequently spend 5/6/7 days on it in comfort.
Hope all works out for you.

 

[Steve k]

Good information. The motor brackets were sound according to my surveyor.
Thanks,
Steve K

 

[Anonymous 121765]

I thought the thread question was fin vs. keel.

I see we've gone off on a tangent.

CR

 

[Admiral]

I have the fin keel. I love my boat. However I am looking to trade up to the wing keel. I am in a lake so the shallow draft will be a benefit. I also like the cockpit better and you will to. If you are not seriously racing then the loss in speed is negligible. I would also like the opening ports and clear hatch. It also depends on the kind of use those sails have. 2 year old sails can be ragged out and older ones vey nice. Sounds like you have your mind made up if you have had a survey done and are headed for a sea trial. Good luck. No matter which one you choose you will be happy.

 

[Steve k]

Thanks for the advise. I appreciate it.
Steve K

 

[Scotty C-M]

Steve.

Both fin and wing keels are fine on a Catalina 30. Yes, a fin keel will sail a bit better, but not enough to make a big difference. If you sail in an area with shallow water, the wing keel offers a lot of advantages. If water depth is not an issue, go with either. Of bigger importance is the engine size. On that boat (I owned one for about 10 years), the larger engine is very (very) nice. Not only does it push the boat faster, but it will push you into a head wind/swell with much more authority! If one boat has better electronics and other stuff you like, that is a big consideration. How important is the cockpit shape? That's something you can't change.
Buy the boat that has the best match for your personal preferences. Good luck, and let us know what you do!

 

[JoeWhite]

Wing keels make the boat tender. It will heel more and quicker. It will not go upwind as well as a fin keel. When you need to perform a back and fill - fin keel turns in a smaller radius.

 

[Steve k]

Good to know. Thanks for all your input. Back when I had a swing keel on Anchor Bay (Lake St. Clair) every time I started to drag my heart would race.
Steve K

 

[Bob4203]

I own a 1988 Mark II with the winged keel and tall rig and my choice with this keel was depth. We are planning on getting back to the ICW sometime soon and the shallower draft makes all the difference in the world on more places to anchor. Simple enough! If grounded the wing keel will add some stability while waiting for the tide to roll in as well. Performance wise, I do think think it is a noticeable difference.

The Mark II compared to the other Mark I vessel your considering is loaded with upgrades that would make it a more desirable vessel. That issue with tight gear shifting is no big deal so do not let that hold you back.

The Mark II overall offer's much in interior upgrade, electrical upgrade, cockpit upgrade, traveler, windows, etc, etc................

Bob
88 Mark II
Lake Lanier, GA

 

[mortyd]

in my opinion this debate misses a very big point. catalina 30's are not like honda civic's where there are so many to chose from. in our case we wanted a wing keel tall rig boat until we saw absolutely the right boat, but she was standard rig fin keel. we bought her and haven't looked back for twelve years. find the right boat first then worry about the keel. you're not going to be talking about a new boat in superb condition no matter what.

 

[Steve k]

Gotcha! Thanks.