Swing Keal..good or bad

[chucklesR]

True, But I can look out my window and see one now.

[Stillraining]

indication that its a swing keel form anywhere but from below the water line.

With the board up we draw 4.5' with it down 11'. It swings into the 2.5' keel stub which is basicly a sawed off regular keel. You can rest the boat on the hard with the keel retracted just as any other full keeled boat. I think it's pretty cool.

[ShibbyPirates]

In the process of purchasing a swing keel, does that warrant more water in the boat (through the two extra holes)?

[mjrogers]

ShibbyPirates,
I've owned a Catalina 22 with a swing keel for 10 years. This type has a pivot at the forward end and is lowered by a cable on the aft end; essentially a 500 lb centerboard. I've never taken water in through the swing keel. The trunk is completely sealed and the through hull for the cable is tall enough to be so far above the waterline that it doesn't take on water.

My brother has a West Wight Potter 19. His keel raises straight up and lowers straight down; essentially a 350 lb dagger board. The kee trunk is open on top but is far enough above waterline that it doesn't take on water. The keel has a flange on top with lock down bolts further sealing to prevent any splash.

We have never taken water on either boat in any conditions we have been in; 6 foot waves with a 12 foot period and winds gusting to 40 on the Pmlico sound were probably the most punishing.

I have seen several other boats with retractable keels. The all been either the heavily weighted center board or dagger board configuation. All have had the hull penetrations designed where the interior openings are well above waterline.

This is not to say they can't fail below waterline and sink your boat, though. In the case of the Catalina 22 the keel cable comes through a fiberglass through hull and then a length of burly rubber hose that looks like radiator hose. If this came off water would be coming in through a 2" hole and sink the boat. Weaknesses in the keel trunk, etc..

So, you might want to consider which boats you like most and find an owners group to see how well the boat holds up. They can point out other trouble spots as well.

Hope this helps, Michael

[Fly1775Scot]

Originally Posted by Lesmusic1

We have found "the right boat"..a 42ft Maple Leaf but concerned about the swing keal. Any info anyone could share? Also, anyone have a Maple Leaf?

My swing keel is a 20' Flying Scot of 1970's vintage.
Never a problem with it.
Really great when mis-judging depth of a shoal.
Makes trailering it very easy.
Being able to adjust the keel depth to only that needed gets you there quicker.

[Jeff_H]

I would say that a Flying Scott has a pivoting centerboard and not a swing keel in the typical defintions of both.

Respectfully,
Jeff

[tweitz]

Whatever terminology you use, the lifting keel in my Beneteau 323 does pivot on the forward end and is weighted. If it hits the bottom it will swing back, rather than make that unpleasant crunching sound. It also takes up almost no room in the saloon. There is a table centered in the saloon with two sides that drop down. The center part of the table has a little unobtrusive trap door. When you open it, you see the crank for raising or lowering the swing keel. I would post a picture, but don't know how, but you can see pictures of the saloon at the BeneteauUSA website.

[Jeff_H]

For what it is worth, since you keep your boat in Maine, the correct U.S. term for pivoting keel on your Beneteau 323 is a swing keel. A lift keel in U.S. parlance operates vertically in a trunk like a dagger board.
Respectfully,
Jeff

[sailingdog]

Your swing keel will only swing back if you're moving forward at the time. If the current or wind is pushing your boat backwards or sideways, you'll still get a nasty crunching noise...

Originally Posted by tweitz

Whatever terminology you use, the lifting keel in my Beneteau 323 does pivot on the forward end and is weighted. If it hits the bottom it will swing back, rather than make that unpleasant crunching sound. It also takes up almost no room in the saloon. There is a table centered in the saloon with two sides that drop down. The center part of the table has a little unobtrusive trap door. When you open it, you see the crank for raising or lowering the swing keel. I would post a picture, but don't know how, but you can see pictures of the saloon at the BeneteauUSA website.

[l0keman]

I have a Chrysler C-22 and the PO locked the keel in the down position and ran shallow. Going to take about two full days of work to repair and it's tight quarters in the keel box. I learned to sail last summer with some temp patchwork right after I bought it, but need to fix it permanatly now.... bu to the real points...

I have never gotten a single drop in through the cable hole... cable runs through heavy rubber hose like the catalina owner described.

It does clank if the boat rocks hard

and the cable HUMS at speed. The faster you go... the louder it gets.... kinda cool at times, but mostly annoying.