An encapsulated keel, with molded lead ballast has the advantage of not having keelbolts or a keel-hull join. These are often problem areas on many boats, as seen in the Catalina "smile".
However, an encapsulated keel does have some issues that you generally don't have to deal with in terms of a bolted on keel, such as damage to the encapsulating fiberglass in the case of an impact or grounding. This can be a serious problem, since most metals expand as they corrode. While it is a bit less of an issue if the encapsulated ballast is lead, it is still a problem.
While an externally-mounted keel has some issues, a lead keel is far more forgiving in a grounding, since the lead will often deform and absorb some of the impact forces, rather than breaking something, like a steel or encapsulated keel will do.
The problem is that many designs don't properly spread the load of the keel bolts across the hull. If this is the case, any impact to the keel will result in a lot of damage.
Personally, I am against adding ballast to make a boat seaworthy... but then again, I sail a multihull.
__________________
Sailingdog
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts..
Still—DON'T READ THAT POST AGAIN.