Keel Fairing

Discussion in 'Sailboats' started by mojounwin, Jul 18, 2010.

  1. mojounwin
    Joined: Dec 2004
    Posts: 77
    Likes: 1, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Queensland, Australia

    mojounwin Junior Member

    Just wondering if anyone has any real life comparisons of performance gains from fairing a keel?

    What sort of boat?
    What condition was the keel in before you started?
    What condition was it in when you finished fairing?
    What performance was gained (point/ speed)

    I think we all know in theory a properly faired keel will be better, but just looking for some real life scenarios.

    Cheers
    Mojo
     
  2. sorenfdk
    Joined: Feb 2002
    Posts: 511
    Likes: 27, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 394
    Location: Denmark

    sorenfdk Yacht Designer

    Yngling.

    As built. Many Ynglings of this particular make a delivered with an asymmetric keel.

    Mint - symmetric and smooth as a baby's...

    Well, they won bronze medals at the Athen Olympics (OK - they were among the favourites, but still...) The fairing took place just before the start of the games and the crew's coach told us that they wished they had done it earlier, because they weren't able to take advantage of the speed gains. Neither speed nor pointing ability was measured.

    We have just faired the keel of a 40 footer. The speed gain is hardly noticeable, but according to the owner it now points 2-3 degrees higher.
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. mojounwin
    Joined: Dec 2004
    Posts: 77
    Likes: 1, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Queensland, Australia

    mojounwin Junior Member

    Cheers
    Mojo
     
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