The Largest 3 Sailboats with Swing Keels (In Detail)
Sailboats with swing keels have retractable keels that allow them to navigate shallow waters and tight spaces with ease. This can give you the freedom to explore hidden coves and quiet bays that other boats can't reach. So if you're looking for a thrilling and versatile sailing adventure, let's take a closer look at the top three largest sailboats with swing keels and all the details you need to know.
The top 3 largest sailboats that feature a swing keel are the Hunter 22, Southerly 57, and Catalina 25. Large sailboats with swing keels offer the perfect combination of size and versatility. They allow large sailboats to sail in shallow waters and make them easier to trailer.
One of the biggest advantages of swing keels is that they allow sailboats to navigate shallow waters that would be off-limits to boats with fixed keels. Let's look at some of the advantages of swing keels over other types of keels.
Summary
- Hunter 22 has a swing keel and a kick-up rudder, which allow it to navigate in shallow waters and access remote anchorages.
- The Catalina 25 has a swing keel and a spade rudder, which provide excellent maneuverability and stability on the water.
- The Southerly 57 is typically transported by professional yacht transport companies due to its high-performance carbon fiber mast, which requires special handling and storage.
- Southerly 57 has a variable-draft swing keel that is operated by a hydraulic system.
- When the swing keel is up, the boat may be more prone to tipping over, so swing keel sailboats are typically designed with a wider beam to improve stability.
Three Largest Sailboats With Swing Keels
The following table summarizes a review of the three largest sailboats with swing keels:
| Sailboat model | Catalina 25 | Hunter 22 | Southerly 57 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Swing keel, spade rudder | Swing keel, kick-up rudder | Variable-draft swing keel |
| Performance | Maneuverable, fast in moderate winds | Maneuverable, fast in moderate winds | Powerful rig, fast in light winds |
| Transport and storage | Easy to trailer, store on trailer or boat lift | Easy to trailer, store on trailer or boat lift | Requires professional transport, store on boat lift or in marina |
| Draft | 5 feet (with keel down) or 2 feet (with swing keel up) | 5 feet (with keel down) or 1 foot, 8 inches (with swing keel up) | 11 feet, 8 inches (with keel down) or 4 feet, 9 inches (with swing keel up) |
1. The Catalina 25 has a swing keel
Design and performance of Catalina 25
The Catalina 25 is a popular sailboat that was designed by Frank Butler and introduced in 1978. The boat has a swing keel and a spade rudder, which provides excellent maneuverability and stability on the water.
The swing keel also provides additional versatility and convenience for sailors who want to explore shallow waters or access remote anchorages. With the swing keel, the boat has a draft of just 2 feet with the keel up, which allows it to navigate in very shallow waters.
Meanwhile, when it's down, the boat has a draft of 5 feet, which provides better stability and performance in stronger winds and larger waves. The swing keel is operated by a winch system and can be easily raised and lowered by a single person.
The boat is also equipped with a tall mast and a large sail area, which allows it to reach impressive speeds in moderate winds. The Catalina 25 has a displacement of 4,550 pounds, which makes it relatively lightweight and easy to handle.
Transport and storage of Catalina 25
The Catalina 25 is relatively easy to transport and store. The boat has a beam of 8 feet, so it is legal to tow on most highways without a permit.
The boat can be trailered on a standard boat trailer and launched at most boat ramps. The boat can also be stored on a trailer or on a boat lift. The mast of the Catalina 25 is easily stepped and unstepped, so it is easy to transport and store the boat.
2. The Hunter 22 is equipped with a swing keel
Design and performance of Hunter 22
The Hunter 22 is a popular sailboat that was designed by Glenn Henderson and introduced in 2009. The boat has a modern design with a wide beam and a large cockpit, so there's plenty of space for sailing and socializing.
The boat has a swing keel and a kick-up rudder, which allows it to navigate in shallow waters and access remote anchorages. The boat is also equipped with a fractional rig and a large sail area, so it can reach impressive speeds in moderate winds. The Hunter 22 has a displacement of 2,000 pounds.
With the swing keel, the boat has a draft of just 1 foot, 8 inches with the keel up, to allow it to navigate in very shallow waters. When the keel is down, the boat has a draft of 5 feet, which provides better stability and performance in stronger winds and larger waves. The swing keel is operated by a winch system and can be easily raised and lowered by a single person.
Transport and storage of Hunter 22
The Hunter 22 has a beam of 7 feet and 8 inches, so it can be towed on most highways without a permit. The boat can be trailered on a standard boat trailer and launched at most boat ramps.
Since the Hunter 22 has a swing keel, it can be retracted, making it easier to transport and store the boat. When the keel is retracted, the boat has a shallower draft and can be transported on a trailer or stored in a smaller space.
3. The Southerly 57 is equipped with a variable-draft swing keel
Design and performance of Southerly 57
The Southerly 57 is a luxurious bluewater sailboat designed for long-distance cruising. The boat has a variable-draft swing keel, which provides excellent versatility and convenience for sailors who want to explore shallow waters or access remote anchorages.
With the swing keel, the boat has a draft of just 4 feet, 9 inches with the keel up, which allows it to navigate in shallow waters. When the keel is down, the boat has a draft of 11 feet, 8 inches, which provides better stability and performance in stronger winds and larger waves.
The swing keel is operated by a hydraulic system and can be easily raised and lowered by a single person. The variable-draft swing keel option adds some weight to the boat, but it does not significantly affect its performance or handling.
The boat is also equipped with a powerful rig and a large sail area, which allows it to reach impressive speeds even in light winds. The Southerly 57 has a displacement of 66,000 pounds, making it very heavy, but also provides excellent stability and comfort in rough seas.
Transport and storage of Southerly 57
The Southerly 57 is not designed for trailering or storage on a trailer. The boat is typically transported by professional yacht transport companies or by sailing the boat to its destination.
The boat can be stored on a boat lift or in a marina. The mast of the Southerly 57 is a high-performance carbon fiber mast, which requires special handling and storage.
The Basics of Swing Keels
A swing keel is a type of retractable keel that pivots up and down on a hinge. The keel is typically made of lead or another heavy material and is used to provide stability to the boat.
When the keel is down, it extends below the hull and helps to prevent the boat from tipping over. When the keel is up, it reduces the boat's draft and allows it to sail in shallow water.
Swing keels are typically operated using a crank, pulley, or hydraulic system. The keel is lowered into position when the boat is in the water, and then raised back up when it's time to come ashore. Are you curious as to how sailboat keels work in general? You can take a peak at this article.
Advantages of swing keels
Swing keels offer several advantages over other types of keels, such as the following:
They enable sailboats to navigate the shallow waters
One of the biggest advantages is that they allow sailboats to navigate shallow waters that would be off-limits to boats with fixed keels. This makes them a popular choice for sailors who like to explore rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water that are too shallow for traditional sailboats.
They can be adjusted to optimize the boat's performance
When the keel is down, it provides more stability and helps the boat to sail upwind more efficiently. When the keel is up, it reduces drag and allows the boat to sail faster in light winds.
To know more about the pros and cons of swing keels this article might be helpful.
Comparing swing keels vs. centerboards
Swing keels are often compared to centerboards, which are another type of retractable keel. The main difference between the two is the way they are mounted on the boat.
Centerboards are typically mounted in a slot in the center of the boat, while swing keels are mounted on a hinge at the front of the keel. Centerboards can be adjusted while the boat is underway, which allows sailors to fine-tune the boat's performance. However, centerboards are typically less robust than swing keels and can be damaged more easily.
Swing keels and stability
Swing keels are designed to provide stability when they are down, but they can also affect the boat's stability when they are up. When the keel is up, the boat has less lateral resistance and may be more prone to tipping over.
To compensate for this, swing keel sailboats are typically designed with a wider beam and other features that help to improve stability. Sailors should also be careful to keep the keel down when sailing in rough conditions or when the wind is strong.
If you want to buy a sailboat with a swing keel, here are some important things you need to understand.
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