Question: What is the advantages and disadvantages of long kill on sail boat?

(Posted by: MR...XXX on 2010-07-28 14:25:00)

I am a total beginner to sailing, but I have noticed that some boats have a kill that goes deep into water while others have a pretty flat bottom, what's the deal about that? Can somebody clarify this for me please. thanks

Posted by: 45 auto on 2010-07-28, 15:05:23

It's called a keel and the advantage is most are shoal meaning it is shallow draft . Deep draft are more for speed.

Posted by: bullibe on 2010-07-28, 19:24:21

A deep draft keel has advantages when it comes to pointing close to the wind, but can be a disadvantage when it comes to shallow water. I have only owned shallow draft boats because all of the water I am boating in is "skinny ".

Posted by: Terry S on 2010-07-29, 15:01:34

That's an excellent question and it can be very confusing when you first start sailing. There are various types of keels and each has positive features but also some negative features. Most cruisers will select a keel type based on the kind of sailing they will do (cruising, racing, small boat, gunkholing). To name a few keel types (Google them for LOTS of details): full keel, fin keel, fin racing keel, bulb and wing keels, swing keels and centerboards). Cruisers often select a full keel or fin keel for weight and stability (full keel) or slightly more speed and performance (fin keel). Small boats user a swing keel or centerboard. The keel provides two main functions regardless of the keel type. It puts weight, ballast, below the boat to provide resistance to the wind pushing the boat on it's side, called "heeling "; and to prevent slipping or being pushed sideways in the water - it allows you to sail more into the wind. Hopefully that helps explain the function of the keel. Beyond that the designer of the boat will take keel design (the backbone of the boat) based what the boat will be used for: cruiser, shallow water or coastal cruiser, racer, performance cruiser etc. etc.