[C320-list] Wing vs deep keel

[Kevin]

I mentioned Australia II because I happened to remember it (and to poke some fun), but I freely admit I remember very little about it. It's not surprising to hear it may have actually made the boat slower. It's a bit of a red herring (introduced by me) in this discussion because, yes, our winged 320s are clearly about shallow draft only.

And on that point: It serves its role perfectly on the waters of the shallow Chesapeake for me. I'm not in a hurry anyway!

Kevin
#211
(Currently named "Winter Whim, to be renamed "Cecilia Ann" in a few weeks)
http://kevjot.com/boat/




----- Original Message ----
From: Andrew Santangelo <andrew_santangelo at mac.com>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 6:18:46 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Wing vs deep keel

Kevin,

Ah yes, Australia II did with with a wing keel.  After the victory in the America's Cup lots of cruising vessels started popping up with wing keels.

But this is what is confusing for many people.  The wing keel was a very specialized design on Australia II.  The wing keel on almost all production boats is very different and it serves only one purpose - shallow draft for shallow waters.  Note the wing keel C320, due to less of a moment arm has to carry 400 lbs more in lead just to maintain vessel balance.   Either way, a wing keel C320 is heavier, slower, cannot point as well as a fin keel C320.

I can see being in shallow waters most of the time one would want a wing keel C320, no doubt about it.  I would not call the ability to point to windward as a non-significant difference for a cruiser.  I can point 5+ degrees better with my fin keel vs. the wing keel.  If I am sailing close hauled a 4, 40 or 100 miles on Lake Michigan I would prefer to be a pointing at my destination and tacking less.  Plus you will shorten your time to your destination by hours on a long trip.  This is not trivial, especially when the weather is an issue.

Resale on the boat - location, location, location.  If you are in a shallow water location I can definitely see selling a fin keel C320 as difficult.  My location it is not difficult.  Location is also a factor in other things like sails - I understand in the SFO area Genoa's tend to be the 135% variety.  With the light air in Lake Michigan that we often experience the 155% is the common variety.

Some other advantages for the cruiser besides speed - that 400 lbs of wasted lead can go to food, water, tools, other supplies and passengers.

But I will say this - if want to race and at least try to place above 50% of the fleet, the only way to go is the fin keel.  If you are just hanging around for fun and do not mind always being last or the bottom of the fleet, then the wing is fine.

Rick does say it right though every boat can cause some compromises.  Yes I cannot go into shallow anchorages or shallow slips, but for me that is not a requirement.

Oh and Bill - nope, not in Texas, though I travel through there often. I need to stop at the Big Texan sometime in Amarillo sometime (no I do not try for the 72 oz free steak).  I am in the Holland, Michigan area moving the boat to San Francisco.

Best Regards,
Andrew
C320 "Dawn Treader"
#333

On Mar 10, 2009, at 3:53 PM, Kevin wrote:

> 
> Andrew Santangelo wrote:
>> 
>> I would say this - no one interested in winning at racing would consider a wing keel vessel.
> 
> 
> Well, Australia II did win the America's Cup in '83 with one. ;-)
> 
> Kevin
> #211
> (Currently named "Winter Whim, to be renamed "Cecilia Ann" in a few weeks)
> http://kevjot.com/boat/
> 
>