Sailboat Project

I have been assigned a sailboat project for one of my classes. I have already decided on a trimaran. What would you suggest for the keel? I've never done anything with sailboats before, but I am aware that a fin keel will increase the speed and a full keel will increase the stability. I am not sure what would work best for a trimaran.

I'm open for suggestions. Thank you.

[gonzo]

It has form stability. That means it doesn't need a keel or balast. Depending on the desing it may need a centerboard. At what stage of boat design are you? Is this a boat design class or something different?

Thank you for your reply. The class is an intro to engineering. We will be learning about engineering design, materials, and fluid dynamics. Designing and constructing the boat is to help us apply our understanding of the topics. We haven't covered anything in class yet, but we are required to study the basics beforehand and have an idea of what we wish to build.

[tspeer]

Think "wetted aspect ratio" - the depth^2 / total wetted area, including the hull(s), board(s), rudder(s). When you look at the the actual drag contributions (not nondimensional coefficients - the actual dimensional drag in lb or n) I think you'll see why this figure of merit is so important.

[gonzo]

In a trimaran the amas (outriggers) give it stability. As the boat heels, they get inmersed in the water and their floatation tends to get the boat back level.