| WHAT HAPPENS IF I RUN AGROUND? |
If you hit a coral head or a rock, you are going to come
to a sudden stop, just like a fixed keel boat would. In sand
or mud, the stop will be slower. The keel will rise in the
trunk as the boat moves up the gradient. To get off, simply
raise the keel. |
IS A RETRACTING KEEL WEAKER THAN A FIXED KEEL?
|
It is stronger than a typical fin keel because a bolted-on
keel is supported only at the hull bottom. Our retracting
keel is supported by a molded-into-the-hull fiberglass trunk
that is also glassed to the deck. This gives the keel more
support in a grounding and creates a much stronger boat. |
| WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CABLE BREAKS? |
The breaking strength of the cable is 9000 lbs. Because
of the 3-to-1 mechanical advantage, it never is stressed to
more than 10% of its rated capacity. The likelihood of cable
failure is low, but if it were to happen, the keel will fall
only as far as it’s safety rod, and is designed to withstand
much greater impacts. |
CAN THE KEEL FALL OUT WHILE I'M SAILING? |
For that to happen, the cable would have to fail and you
would have to have removed the safety rod. Losing the keel
does not mean the boat is lost. There is ballast in the hull
for stability without the keel. The sails should be luffed
and quickly lowered. The boat will remain stable and manageable. |
| WHAT IF MY ELECTRIC WINCH FAILS? |
You will temporarily have a fixed keel boat like everyone
else. There is a manual backup system that is easy to use. |
| WHAT HAPPENS IF BARNACLES GROW ON THE KEEL? |
We recommend the keel be retracted when the boat is not
used. If you forget, and the keel has not been bottom painted,
barnacles can slow the retracting action. You may have to
slowly retract the keel a few inches at a time so that the
barnacles are scraped off by the hull as the keel retracts.
|
WHAT ABOUT ELECTROLYSIS?? |
It's not a problem. All mechanical parts are above the waterline. |
CAN I STEER THE BOAT WITH THE RUDDER RETRACTED? |
Yes. You lose about 20% control with rudder fully retracted. |
| CAN I REALLY SAIL WITH JUST A FEW INCHES OF KEEL EXPOSED? |
Yes. There will be some side-slipping, but unlike a centerboard
or swing keel, the balance of the boat does not change as
the keel retracts. Therefore the handling characteristics
change very little as the keel position changes. In fact,
you will find yourself sailing with the keel only halfway
down much of the time. The boat is stable and tracks very
well in this configuration. Resistance is minimized by exposing
less wetted surface, so speed is greater. |
| Can one person really raise and lower the mast? |
Yes. We have designed the system to use mechanical advantage
rather than physical exertion. The boat’s systems do
the work. Figure twenty minutes for the 26, forty for the
32. |
Can the mast be stepped in the water? |
Yes. We recommend smooth water. |
| Can the mast be lowered with sails attached? |
No, not without some special hardware. |
| Can I actually beach this boat? |
Yes. The sea bottom must slope upward about five degrees. |
| Are there reasons to not have a retracting keel? |
Adding a mechanical device to a boat may introduce the potential
for complications. We’ve minimized that potential. Once
you’ve owned our boat, you’ll never own a fixed
keel boat. There are too many advantages that far outweigh
any imagined negatives. |
| Will my sailing buddies be jealous when I’m anchored
in calm sheltered water? |
Probably. Their mates may ask to board your boat. |
| Will I still have to assist my sailing buddies when they
are securing their boats against the coming hurricane? |
Everyone for themselves. You’ll be high and dry and
miles inland with the boat on the trailer and the burgers
on the grill. |
| Will my marina be upset because I no longer need their help
stepping my mast? |
They’ll get over it. Their healing will be slowed,
however now that you’ve moved from the high-rent slip
to the shallow one they couldn’t give away last year. |
