Date: 1/14/2001
Name: Ben
email: benj9@hit.net
subject:Keels
As pointed out here, the overall shape of the keel is pretty well locked in by the Class specifications but there is a great difference in the conditons of the keels on our boats.Over the past few years as I have had the chance to look at a number of keels using our hoist. Many have breaks and cracks along the trailing edge that are in varying stanges of delamination. Water gets inside and in the climates of No.Ame. it freezes causing lots of damage. On two boats the damage had even gone to the point where "shot" used as balast was exposed.
It should be at least a yearly ritual to get the boat up for an inspection. The keel should be the smoothest and fairest thing on the underside of the boat with 25% of the overall drag coming from this foil.
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