"Winged keel" vs Deep keel

[Jef]

Hello!My Hunter 326 is currently being built in Portland (England), and I originally opted for the deep keel option. Due to the dealership's price increase from 1,372 Euros to 1,970 Euros for this option (is this even legal after the order's been placed?!?), I'm starting to wonder if I really need this 1m78 deep keel. *I could find ways of spending this money elsewhere on the boat*I'm going to be sailing primarily in the Med, where tides are never a real issue, hence my original choice of keels.Now this is where I need some help (assurance). ) I've been led to believe that the shorter winged keels have *somewhat* the same performance as the deeper keels... But!...Is the Hunter 326's 1m32 shoal keel really a winged keel? I saw this keel at the Paris Nautical Show last December, and indeed it had wings. But it also had a bulb, which confuses me, as I've seen pictures of winged keels that didn't have a bulb. Is the Hunter's shoal keel a hybrid "bulbous shoal keel with wings?" But most importantly... how's the performance of this keel in comparison to the deep keel option? I'm going to be cruising, not racing, so a minor (and I do mean *minor*) handicap isn't too much of an issue.Looking forward to hearing from either keel owners...~smooth sailing~Jef, and soon, *Pixie*

 

[Julian Sandford]

keel

I race and cruise with a 310 with the bulb keel. If it was a no-cost option I would go for a fin keel, but the improvement in performance is no way worth the extra. Is there more lead? No. Very happy with bulbed wing.

 

[Steve]

Small wings...

I have a 320 with the "winged" keel. The wings are very small, and attached near the aft of the keel. And yes, there is a bulb also. There is additional weight (a couple houndred pounds, or about 450 kilos) to go with the loss in depth. I chose the winged keel because of the water depth in the great lakes where I sail. There might be a small loss in speed due to the winged keel, but not much. It is a combination of wetted surface vs additional weight. I race and cruise, but the racing will provide 6 seconds handicap for the winged keel, so you can make up for the loss.If you are only cruising, you could probably spend the money elsewhere and never miss the full keel. I don't know about laws in France, but i know that I would howl about an increase after a contract was signed in the US. You might get leagal advice if the cost isn't higher than what you might recover.Good luck,SteveSteve

 

[Scott Narum]

"Deep" vs. "Shoal" Keel

I paid extra for the "deep" keel on my 326. There is some misinformation on the previous replies. The fact is, both the "shoal" and "deep" keels have winglets. Therefore, there is no difference in terms of hydrodynamic performance. I think what is most significant is that the "shoal" keel has no more ballast in it than the "deep" keel. This means the "deep" keel will provide better "stiffness" or resistance to heeling. Plus, deeper keels will track better when going upwind. After sailing my boat in high, gusty winds, I am glad it is no more tender than it is, which would be the case with a "shoal" keel.Catalina provides a true "winged" keel option, which provides extra ballast over their standard fin keel. Scott