PSC Keels

[Rogerr]

Can anyone tell me the mix between regular and scheel keels for the 34's and 37's? A broker told me that most owners get the shoal version. That seems counter intuitive. Based on watching the market for awhile it does appear like there are alot of scheels out there. I'm looking specifically at the 37. Has anyone tried to quantify the performance difference between the two versions? Thanks!

[lsbrodsky]

I can only comment on the 31 performance with and without. I had the scheel keel and it performed as well as the regular keel, maybe a few degrees difference in pointing ability. However, the scheel keel greatly expanded my gunkholing capability and was a wise investment.
Larry

[stevemac00]

With no disrespect to Larry who is a knowledgeable sailor, a few degrees is significant to me. I think you also lose some fuel capacity.

[Alannc44]

I don't know, there's something aesthically pleasing to me about a full keel, even if there are advantages to the shoal drafts.
Alan
Kon Jeni Al

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by Alannc44

I don't know, there's something aesthically pleasing to me about a full keel, even if there are advantages to the shoal drafts.
Alan
Kon Jeni Al

OK, but why did you attach a photo of a fin keel boat rather than a full keel boat?

[Alannc44]

Originally Posted by FSMike

OK, but why did you attach a photo of a fin keel boat rather than a full keel boat?

Because I meant to say regular draft. You got me there.

Alan

[BirdBrain333]

"They" say that every element of boat design is a trade-off. I think the "correct" answer to this question depends entirely on what matters to you. If you love gunkholing, messing about "thin water," & etc then the Scheel keel is wonderful. I love using novel engineering to solve age-old problems. But if pointing ability is important as well as the aesthetics and feel of a deep keel gripping the water then the full keel is obviously the way to go. I suspect that if I were facing the Pacific and not the Atlantic my choice would be different.

Jay,

PSC 37, Kenlanu
(out of the snow in Maine)

[samchristo]

We have a Scheel keel and it works well. But I would not get another. The fin's a few inches deeper but points better - and that does make a difference when you're covering miles. Most of all when (not if) you run aground it offers a much smaller footprint to get out of the mud or sand (or rock or coral if you're really unlucky).

Sam
s/v Grace PSC34#163

[BirdBrain333]

Sam, that is *really* interesting. Now that you say it I can well imagine that the great fat "foot" of the Scheel keel would create quite a bit of suction when embedded in nice sticky mud. Gack!

Jay
PSC 37 Kenlanu with Scheel Keel

Originally Posted by samchristo

We have a Scheel keel and it works well. But I would not get another. The fin's a few inches deeper but points better - and that does make a difference when you're covering miles. Most of all when (not if) you run aground it offers a much smaller footprint to get out of the mud or sand (or rock or coral if you're really unlucky).

Sam
s/v Grace PSC34#163