time to replace the iron keel with lead but...

[tranmkp]

I have made up my mind to replace the cast iron keel on my beneteau with a lead one. There is a problem, a lead keel is no longer available from beneteau, Mars metal will not cast it unless Beneteau tell them to and so on and so on -you get the picture. Keel plans are not available either from Beneteau or Berret. Forget about the Berret office replying.

So I go on my own and hire a archetict to do a new one. Should I still keep the eliptical shape as the old or go with the newer narrow foil bulb design Seems to me these are more high speed fins. But it would be nice to hear some feedback....

thanks

[sorenfdk]

Why do you want to change? Are you mostly racing or mostly cruising? Do you want more stability? Do you want a lighter boat?
There are a lot of questions that you'll need to consider before making the decision. Your friendly local Naval Architect/Yacht Designer should be able to help you.
If you ask me, I'd probably go for a cast iron fin with a lead bulb, but again - it all depends.

[D'ARTOIS]

I fully agree with Soren Flening from Denmark. Most probably, you wouldn't even notice the change. Depending on which Beneteau you have.
I you want a modernization of your hull design, you must be prepared to invest some substantial cash on this venture. Sure, you will gain something, but is it worth......