Centrebord keel 4'-6'11" - Do I actually sail on both?

[MichaelZZ]

I have seen some boats with adjustable keels e.g. C&C 32

Do I actually sail a boat this size at 4' draft or is that only meant to allow me to motor in to shallow bays?

I'm asking as the lake I'm in has in recent years had issues with water levels and depth so I am looking for a shoal draft boat. I just don't understand if it is feasible to sail a boat this size on a draft of only 4'?

THanks for any insights you can share with me.

[fordo]

You can certainly sail with the centerboard either up or down. The C&C 32 centerboard version has 800 lbs. of extra ballast so stability under sail should not be a problem with the board up. The big difference will be windward performance; not as good with the board up. On a beam reach you may slide off to leeward more with the board up. On a quarter reach or downwind you should be faster with the board up because there will be less wetted surface and therefore less drag.

The performance trade-off, IMHO, is small if the shoal draft opens up a big part of your sailing area.

[T37Chef]

My Tartan 37 has a centerboard, up it draws 4'2", some owners have even glassed the centerboard over. It will depend on the design, my boat will sail very well, even to windward, with the board up.

A review by Jack Horner: BoatUS.com: Boat Reviews by Jack Hornor, N.A. - Tartan 37

[chef2sail]

Our 35 C&C MKIII has a centerboard draft-4'6 up and 6'5 down. It is easilly winched up or let down through a linched line on the cabintop.

In shallow water of course we keep it up. It is most effective put down going to windward in winds of 15 knotts as it deters the weatherhelm as well as enables the boat to point higher ( closer to the wind) then if it was not down) Our model is quite sturdy and weighs in over 1000 lbs. It does not rattle in its case or make any noise and is we utilizes as SOP lowering it and raising it as conditions warrent. It has proven a distinct advantage to boats of similar size who do not have one when racing to windward.

Dave

[Faster]

With centerboards, too, you can adjust your CLR (centre of lateral resistance) somewhat by partially lowering or raising the board to help helm balance..

Sounds like you're getting closer, Michael...

[MichaelZZ]

Hello all and thanks so much for providng these insights to me. I shall continue my quest, still waiting on some info details from the broker on this one

[MichaelZZ]

An experienced sailor told me there's a stainless steel wire or something such on the centreboard boats to retract or fold out the keel and he says it'S not a matter of IF but WHEN the wire snaps.

- Any idea about this?

- Does anybody know what sort of effort is involved in engaging someone to make me a new one? What would it cost?

Thanks!

[sailingdog]

Yes, this is probably true, especially for older setups that used 304 stainless, since that was far more susceptible to crevice corrosion. Any good rigging shop can make up a new stainless steel pennant, but it might be worth investigating making them up of Amsteel or something similar.

Originally Posted by MichaelZZ

An experienced sailor told me there's a stainless steel wire or something such on the centreboard boats to retract or fold out the keel and he says it'S not a matter of IF but WHEN the wire snaps.

- Any idea about this?

- Does anybody know what sort of effort is involved in engaging someone to make me a new one? What would it cost?

Thanks!

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by MichaelZZ

An experienced sailor told me there's a stainless steel wire or something such on the centreboard boats to retract or fold out the keel and he says it'S not a matter of IF but WHEN the wire snaps.

- Any idea about this?

- Does anybody know what sort of effort is involved in engaging someone to make me a new one? What would it cost?

Thanks!

Michael--

Think of your centerboard as a tool to help prevent leeway. Centerboards generally do not increase stability (although an increase in lateral surface area will reduce roll). As a general guideline, the further off the wind you sail, the less board you need.

In re: your pendant, consider replacing the stainless steel cable with Spectra. Provided the lead is fair, a Spectra pendant will last far longer.

FWIW...

[MichaelZZ]

Thanks guys for sharing your insights. Sorry it took so long to get back here. As I explained in my other thread I kind of gave up on getting my own boat for the local waters here... but I really appreciate all help provided to me.