canting keels: how are they displaced from side to side?

[Thaddeus]

Hello,

I know canting keels are a relatively new innovation. I am curious as to how the keel is made to move to and fro as needed. Big hydraulic rams? Pnematics?

Any links to examples would be much appreciated.

thanks

Thaddeus

[Karsten]

They use one or two big, chunky hydraulic rams. To power the rams they have to run the engine which drives the hydraulic pump. The modern ones run the engine non stop and also have all the winches powered hydraulically. The propellor is also driven by a hydraulic motor so if the engine fails you end up with a very expansive rowing boat.

[Tim B]

Some are moved by a block and tackle system, but that tends to be for smaller boats.

Tim B.

[User_U]

like we tried with a Melges 24 - more pictures you will find here:sailormade - homepage (http://www.sailormade.com/en/Yachten/Melvolution.php)

it was an interesting project ;)

[Doug Lord]

You'll probably learn more if you do a search in the "Sailboats" forum of this website under canting keels. There are at least two threads of interest: "Canting Keels" and a "CBTF"(Canting Ballast Twin Foil").

[Thaddeus]

User_U, that's fascinating. How heavy was the bulb?