That's the problem with cheap, lightweight racing boats.

The bottom line is they are unsafe for cruising or ocean
voyaging. When voyaging or cruising one needs a boat
that is built heavy enough to abide the constant strain.

Take my Coronado 27, for example. She is built to take
the abuse the sea can dish out. She is a couple inches thick
where the keel attaches and the keel fits into a cassette
where a large, rectangular boss distributes the forces.
The keel bolts, unfortunately, were on the puny side
because the manufacturer claimed they really only were
needed for holding the keel boss tightly into the cassette
until the epoxy dried. Once dried, the epoxy bond is
supposed to be strong enough. As evidenced by inspecting
the keel to hull joint this seems to be the case. However,
to be on the safe side I installed four very stout (one inch
diameter) keel bolt in addition to the factory installed half
inch hardware.

My keel is there to stay. Also, "Cut the Mustard" enjoys the
benefits of a shoal draft keel which imparts far less strain
on the hull/cassette and hardware in the first place. Why
some people go off and get themselves killed in cheap,
lightweight boats in the name of performance is beyond
my ability to comprehend. Is an ego trip worth one's life?
I think not. I would rather cruise a knot or so slower
and be safe about it than be subjected to catastrophic
failures of loss of life. You can have your Express 30's
Pearson Flyers, J/Boats and any of that other crap that
is ultimately unsuited to be put to sea.

S.Simon



Captain William Collin, Master of the barque Grimenza wrote in message ...

Rising Farrster, a Farr 38 dropped her keel and 2 of 6 onboard
drowned.
Implications for owners of yachts built prior to 1994.
http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?SEID=0&Nid=11942




Oz1...of the 3 twins.

I welcome you to crackerbox palace,We've been expecting you.