On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 10:45:16 -0600, "Bruce C."
wrote:

Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware of the impact on steering response, but
now that I think about it, it makes sense. The Kingston15 has a small
daggerboard offset from center (I believe the keel would eliminate the need
for that, just as you mentioned). If the keel extends about 8 inches below
the hull, I don't see much negative impact on loading on the trailer.

I'm not familiar with all the boating terminology. What is the name for the
style where the cabin top extends all the way to the hull? Anyway, I don't
see boats with this cabin style that also have a full length keel. Perhaps
I'm overestimating the value of the long keel for absorbing impact damage.


"William R. Watt" wrote in message
...

"Bruce C." ) writes:

1. How significant is a full length keel. What are the plusses and
minuses?

plus: shallow draft when sailing
roomier cabin without centreboard trunk
minus: poorer steering response
harder to get on and off a trailer


Bruce, you are probably not going to like this advice, but you should
learn to sail on good modern professionally designed boats. Then sail
enough on different boats to find out what you really like, and how
you like to use a sailboat.

After a few years of that, you might be in a position to imagine your
ideal boat.

All you are doing now is hypothesizing from nothing.

Been there, done that.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Be careful. The toe you stepped on yesterday may be connected to the ass you have to kiss today." --Former mayor Ciancia

Rodney Myrvaagnes wrote:
SNIP

Bruce, you are probably not going to like this advice, but you should
learn to sail on good modern professionally designed boats. Then sail
enough on different boats to find out what you really like, and how
you like to use a sailboat.

After a few years of that, you might be in a position to imagine your
ideal boat.

All you are doing now is hypothesizing from nothing.

Been there, done that.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a



Good advice. Sound older boats are inexpensive, even relative to the
cost of building a boat yourself. I think that building a boat only
makes sense only if you have clear and sound idea of what you want and
can't find same on the market. If you buy an older boat and
subsequently sell it, you may gain or lose a small fraction on the
exchange. If you build a boat to a wonky design or with indifferent
materials or workmanship, the product could be literally worthless.
So, buy a good old boat and go get some experience.

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 16:54:24 -0500, Jim Conlin
wrote:

So, buy a good old boat and go get some experience.

============================================

Absolutely right. Building a boat of any size at all is a very big
project that is guaranteed to take 2 or 3 times longer than your
wildest estimate, and with matching cost over runs. If you really
want to build a boat I'd recommend something small.