7 Reliable Swing Keel Sailboat Manufacturers (And Why)
If you're looking for a sailboat that can navigate shallow waters and provide greater versatility, you might want to consider a swing keel sailboat. These sailboats are designed with a retractable keel that can be raised or lowered as needed, allowing you to easily navigate shallow waters or access marinas. In this article, we'll introduce you to seven reliable swing keel sailboat manufacturers and explain why they're worth considering.
The 7 most reliable swing keel sailboat manufacturers include Jeanneau, Southerly, Allures, Alubat, Discovery, Garcia, and Sirius Yachts. Each of these sailboat manufacturers produces high-quality swing keel sailboats that are adjustable for different types of sailing, are often trailerable, and offer good windward performance.
Sailboat manufacturers often use high-quality materials such as marine-grade aluminum that can offer strength, and durability, and protect your boat from corrosion and UV damage. Let's look at which specific materials are being used by each manufacturer when crafting swing keel sailboats.
Summary
- One of the largest sailboats with a swing keel, the Southerly 57, is manufactured by Southerly.
- The Allures 39.9 is a popular model manufactured by Allures that features a swing keel and can be sailed in shallow waters.
- Alubat is unique among other boat manufacturers because they use aluminum as the primary material for their hulls.
- Discovery manufactures sailboats that feature advanced technology, such as computer-controlled sail handling systems, making them easy to handle and sail.
- Sirius Yachts uses a vacuum infusion process to ensure that the hulls of their sailboats are strong and lightweight, which improves performance and fuel efficiency.
On this page:
Below is a table comparing the key features and advantages of each of these swing keel sailboat manufacturers and providing examples of different swing keel sailboat designs from each:
| Manufacturer | Swing keel sailboat designs | Materials used | Unique features and advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanneau | Sun Odyssey series: - 319 - 349 - 389 - 419 - 479 - 490 - 519 |
Fiberglass | - Wide range of models to choose from, including swing keel options - Good balance between performance and comfort - High-quality build and materials - Good resale value |
| Southerly | - Southerly 32 - Southerly 38 - Southerly 42RST - Southerly 480 |
Fiberglass with a composite swing keel | - Unique swing keel design with variable draft - High level of customization available - Good performance in both shallow and deep waters - Comfortable and spacious interior - Good reputation for durability and seaworthiness |
| Allures | - Allures 39.9 - Allures 45.9 - Allures 52 |
Aluminum | - High-quality aluminum construction - Swing keel design allows for shallow draft and easy beaching - Good performance in heavy weather - Spacious and well-designed interior - Good reputation for durability and seaworthiness |
| Alubat | - OVNI 365 - OVNI 395 - OVNI 445 - OVNI 495 |
Aluminum | - High-quality aluminum construction - Swing keel design allows for shallow draft and easy beaching - Good performance in heavy weather - Spacious and well-designed interior - Good reputation for durability and seaworthiness |
| Discovery | - Discovery 48 MKII - Discovery 55 |
Fiberglass | - Well-designed and spacious interior - High-quality build and materials - Good performance in both shallow and deep waters - Good reputation for durability and seaworthiness - Excellent customer service |
| Garcia | - Exploration 45 - Exploration 52 - Exploration 52LR - Exploration 60 |
High-quality aluminum | - High-quality aluminum construction - Swing keel design allows for shallow draft and easy beaching - Good performance in heavy weather - Spacious and well-designed interior - Good reputation for durability and seaworthiness |
| Sirius Yachts | - Sirius 310 DS - Sirius 350 DS |
Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) | - Good balance between performance and comfort - High-quality build and materials - Good reputation for durability and seaworthiness - Affordable pricing- Good resale value |
Jeanneau
Jeanneau is a French sailboat manufacturer that has been in business since 1957. They are known for producing high-quality sailboats that are both comfortable and easy to handle.
One of their most popular models is the Sun Odyssey series, which ranges from 32 to 54 feet in length. These sailboats are designed for sailors who want to enjoy both performance and comfort.
Jeanneau sailboats are crew-friendly, with spacious interiors that provide plenty of room for everyone on board. They are also equipped with amenities such as showers, stoves, and toilets, making them ideal for longer trips.
The Sun Odyssey series also features twin wheels, which provide better visibility and control when sailing. One of the best sailboats for coastal cruising is the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349.
Southerly
Southerly is a British sailboat manufacturer that specializes in swing keel sailboats. Southerly's swing keel design is unique in that it allows for variable draft, which means that the keel can be raised or lowered to adjust the depth of the boat in the water. This makes Southerly sailboats particularly versatile, as they can sail in both shallow and deep waters.
Southerly sailboats are also known for their high level of customization. Customers can choose from a range of options to personalize their sailboat, including different layouts, finishes, and equipment. This allows sailors to create a sailboat that meets their specific needs and preferences.
In terms of performance, Southerly sailboats are designed to be fast and responsive, with a focus on sailing upwind. They are also built to be durable and seaworthy, with a reputation for being able to handle heavy weather conditions.
Southerly offers a range of swing keel sailboat models, including the Southerly 32, Southerly 38, Southerly 42RST, and Southerly 480. Each model has its own unique features and advantages, but all are designed with Southerly's signature swing keel design and focus on performance, comfort, and durability.
One of the largest sailboats with a swing keel, the Southerly 57, is manufactured by Southerly.
Allures
Allures is a French boat builder that specializes in producing high-quality swing keel sailboats. Swing keels are retractable keels that allow the boat to sail in shallow waters, making them ideal for cruising and exploring. Allures sailboats are built to withstand the toughest conditions and are known for their durability and reliability.
Allures offers a range of sailboats that are designed for cruising and offshore sailing. The Allures 39.9 is a popular model that features a swing keel and can be sailed in shallow waters. It has a spacious interior with two cabins and a large saloon, making it ideal for extended cruising.
The Allures 45 is another popular model that features a swing keel. It has a spacious cockpit and a large interior with three cabins and two heads. The boat is designed for long-distance cruising and is known for its stability and performance.
Allures sailboats are built using the latest technology and materials, including vacuum infusion and carbon fiber. They are designed to be easy to handle and maintain, so they are ideal for sailors of all levels.
Alubat
Alubat is a French boat manufacturer that specializes in producing high-quality, aluminum-hulled sailboats. One of their most popular designs is the swing keel sailboat, which features a retractable keel that can be raised or lowered depending on the depth of the water.
Alubat's swing keel sailboats are designed to withstand rough seas and challenging weather conditions, making them a popular choice for offshore sailing and long-distance cruising.
Alubat is unique from other boat manufacturers because they use aluminum as the primary material for their hulls. Aluminum is a lightweight and durable material that is resistant to corrosion. You can read this article to learn more about the pros and cons of an aluminum sailboat.
Discovery
Discovery's swing keel sailboats are a range of sailing yachts that are designed to be versatile and easy to handle. The swing keel feature allows the boat to have a shallow draft for cruising in shallow waters or entering harbors with limited depth, while also providing a deep draft for improved sailing performance and stability in open waters.
The range includes the Discovery 48, 54, and 58 models, all of which are built with high-quality materials and advanced technology to provide a comfortable and safe sailing experience. These sailboats are designed to be easily handled by a small crew or even single-handed.
In addition to their swing keel feature, the Discovery sailboats also feature advanced technology, such as computer-controlled sail handling systems, making them easy to handle and sail.
Garcia
Garcia's swing keel sailboats are a line of sailboats designed by the French boat builder Garcia Yachts. These boats are known for their innovative swing keel design, which allows them to be easily transported and launched in shallow waters.
Their swing keel sailboats are also known for their rugged construction and seaworthiness. They are designed to handle challenging conditions and are often used for long-distance cruising and offshore sailing.
The hulls are typically made from fiberglass, which is a strong and lightweight material that can withstand the stresses and strains of sailing in rough seas. The boats are also designed with reinforced bulkheads and other structural elements that provide additional strength and stability.
Some of their most popular models include the Garcia Exploration 45, the Garcia Exploration 52, and the Garcia Exploration 52 Blue Water.
Sirius Yachts
Sirius Yachts is a British sailboat manufacturer that specializes in producing high-quality cruising yachts. One of their unique features is their swing keel sailboats, which offer the ability to raise and lower the keel for improved performance and access to shallow waters.
In terms of materials, Sirius Yachts uses a combination of fiberglass and composite materials to construct their boats. They use a vacuum infusion process to ensure that the hulls are strong and lightweight, which helps to improve performance and fuel efficiency.
Additionally, Sirius Yachts places a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility. They use eco-friendly materials and production methods wherever possible, and they are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and minimizing waste throughout the manufacturing process.
Did you find the answer to your specific question?
👍 0 👎 0
Leave a comment