Types and functions of Sailboat Keels

Discussion of how sailboat keels work and the types of keels.

NOTE: I misspoke at around 11 min and reversed the description of daggerboard and centerboard.

[rrydinhigh]

Super helpful to a person like me who is not "boat" savvy at all. I learned a lot watching this vid. Huge "thank you" to YOU, for sharing this very detailed explanation of how these vessels & keels, work. 👍🏽👍🏽

[spartagirlful]

OMG. Best explanation I've seen to date. So many sailors, so familiar with the effects leave out so many details. Thank you.

[BEEBEE]

My Catalina 18 has a wing keel, and I really love it. Although the boat is small, it sails like a much larger boat. The fin keel gives it lots of stability, while still enhancing performance. The boat hardly heels at all, 30 degrees max, even in a brisk breeze. Another cool thing about the wing keel is that it stabilizes the boat when going through large wakes from passing yachts. When the wave goes to pick the boat up, the wing slows the upward lifting of the boat. Then, on the way back down the back of the wave, the wing keel slows or cushions the fall. I have been hit by some huge yacht wakes, and it always amazes me how stable the boat takes it. Lastly, the draft is only 2.5 feet.

[henrylealewis]

Awesome you can not begin to understand how much your videos help some body totally new rap their head around the sailing concepts.

[BEEBEE]

You did a great job simplifying a complex subject. I learned a lot from this video. Thank you.

[ducktheseraph]

I very much appreciate your videos and the breakdowns. I've only just taken an eye to sailing recently but your videos give me motivation.

[veleiroema]

excellent explanations, made clear the implications of the keel varieties, It will help me a lot. Congratulations and good winds!

[AJ-jzlp]

I just started watching! these clips are quite educational for someone who knows nothing about sailing I've learnt alot about basic concepts thanks

[KelvinMeeks]

My first boat was a 32 ft. 1971 Islander sloop - with a fin keel, and skeg hung rudder. In a blow, she had a bad tendency to round-up (dramatically). In selecting my next boat, I wanted a Modified Full keel - and went with a 35 ft 1963 Pearson Alberg sloop. The sea handling was much improved with the Modified Keel - and in a blow - she tracked much better. I would say that the Modified Full keel also gave me greater comfort - as I had previously had some close encounters with whales, and running into a crowded field of crab pot float lines - while sailing along the Baja coast during moonless nights.

[stevenwalker]

I am a couch sailor as well. I learned a lot!

[steveholton]

An additional advantage of a centerboard or daggerboard, especially in racing, is the fact that when running BEFORE the Wind, either one can be Retracted Removing Drag as all the force of the wind is acting on forward motion with no side slippage. Also, note that the mass of a keel or board must be directly proportional to the height of the mast(s) and the sail area that it(they) carry. Our sloop had 7 tons of lead at the base of the keel because her mast towered 80 feet above the deck. sdh T.A. '67 in CT

[luiscastrillon]

Just found this series. I assume I a little bit less into this than when you made this series but thank you, seems very informative.

[joeblow]

11:15. Actually, you have the movement of centerboards and daggerboards backasswards. Centerboards pivot and swing up into the trunk, whereas daggerboards generally go straight up into the trunk/case without pivoting.

[wildcoastadventures]

Kee them coming please. That was clear and concise with no fluff. Thanks.

[taiming]

You did a real good break down on the types.

[raymondcasey]

Great education video. fantastic for novice like me. Thank you.

[assifkhan]

Well explained using lots of visuals thank you..thumbs 👍 anytime.

[johnirby]

Daggerboards move straight up and down. Swing keels "open and close".

[fpdima]

Thanks for the info. Very informative.

[WalkerKlondyke]

The old timer who taught me to sail described it as trying to squeeze a wet bar of soap. It's gonna slip out. The idea is the keel is like the bar of soap and the wind and the water are your hands trying to squeeze it.