Country_Chiel wrote:
For my benefit - what are the advantages and disadvantages of a twin keeler
vs a single keel? I know the fact that you can stand them on their keels -
is this structurally safe for instance for a long period ie when
antifouling?

It should be, assuming the boat was decently well-built.


... I have heard that they heal less on the wind - is that right?

Don't think so. However they have the potential for greater righting
moment, if they heel far enough to lift the windward keel out of the water.

Twin keels should also resist rolling better... in theory. Due to both
better damping & wider weight distribution than a single fin keel.


They can be slower too - maybe a good family yacht?

Is "slowness" a desirable characteristic in a "family yacht?" I'm
guessing you mean a boat that is not used for racing. It seems to me
that a slow boat is less enjoyable on almost every front, and can be
harder to handle & expose one to more danger. But that's a quibble.

IMHO the twin keeler's rep for slowness is deserved... of the boats
offered with a twin keel option, I don't know of any that are as fast in
a twin keel version as single fin keel. On some the difference is not as
noticable as others. Then there are boats built only as twin keelers...
they are usually slow boats, mostly due to weight/sail area
considerations... the keel(s) is a moot point. Looking back at the
theoretical side of things, twin keelers will have less optimum flow
around the keel roots and are less efficient foils.

Everything is a trade off. There is no such thing as "the prefect boat."

Hope this helps
Doug King