[webd71]

First let me thank Jeff H and the rest of you who have shared so much knowledge with those of us who strive to become more familiar with the many intricacies of a sailboat’s design and purpose.

I have gathered from your many posts and answers that some of you, Jeff H included, favor the more modern hull/keel designs for coastal and offshore cruising due to their inherent advantages in the following areas.

1) Speed
2) Maneuverability
3) Sail plan congruency (less sail area required to go faster)
4) Light wind performance
5) Safety (ability to get out of harm’s way a bit quicker)

My question is, how much more vulnerable would the fin keel of a Dehler or Hanse quality type boat be to a submerged container, log or the like, compared to the full keels found on say, a Nor’sea, BCC, Nauticat or Cabo Rico?

Also, how would these 2 type of keel designs comparatively fare in the worst of storms, and in groundings, would it make much of a difference?


Thanks in advance.
Mike