Swings are fractionally slower than drops, as a rule, due the open slot
under case. I have Raced and Cruised my current swing for ten years and
although there is a faster drop version I am more than happy to stay with
the swing keel.

One real advantage is the ease of beaching the boat. I often use the keel as
a handbreak in muddy or soft sanded areas.

DP


"70's" wrote in message
...
I'm looking at buying a used pocket cruiser, something in the 22' range,
and
I was wondering if I should get a swing keel, or a fixed one?
The lake in our town is big enough for up to 30' cruisers (yacht club
average), but has some shallow areas, but still lots of good deep areas.
I was told by an old salt that I should stick with a fixed keel, but I
like
the attraction of a swing keel, to bring me in closer to shore.
I would just like to have a few experienced opinions.
Thanks to all.

Marc,

The BIG advantage of a "non-fix" keel is in transportation. Yes, you
can get a little closer to shore, but if the shore is not soft sand and
you do not have bottom paint that matters - you still swim (or wade).

Another small advantage to a swinging board only (I do not have this) is
that it will be forgiving if it touched the bottom - lightly. If you
run it in hard, you can cause it some grief.

If it moves, it can break.

Fair Wind and Smooth Sea
Matt Colie S2-7.9 "Bonne Ide'e"

70's wrote:
I'm looking at buying a used pocket cruiser, something in the 22' range, and
I was wondering if I should get a swing keel, or a fixed one?
The lake in our town is big enough for up to 30' cruisers (yacht club
average), but has some shallow areas, but still lots of good deep areas.
I was told by an old salt that I should stick with a fixed keel, but I like
the attraction of a swing keel, to bring me in closer to shore.
I would just like to have a few experienced opinions.
Thanks to all.

I'm looking at buying a used pocket cruiser, something in the 22' range, and
I was wondering if I should get a swing keel, or a fixed one?
The lake in our town is big enough for up to 30' cruisers (yacht club
average), but has some shallow areas, but still lots of good deep areas.
I was told by an old salt that I should stick with a fixed keel, but I like
the attraction of a swing keel, to bring me in closer to shore.
I would just like to have a few experienced opinions.
Thanks to all.

Neither. Twin Keel is the best choice.

M.

"70's" wrote in message
...
I'm looking at buying a used pocket cruiser, something in the 22' range,
and
I was wondering if I should get a swing keel, or a fixed one?
The lake in our town is big enough for up to 30' cruisers (yacht club
average), but has some shallow areas, but still lots of good deep areas.
I was told by an old salt that I should stick with a fixed keel, but I
like
the attraction of a swing keel, to bring me in closer to shore.
I would just like to have a few experienced opinions.
Thanks to all.

Having owned a Vivacity (built to Lloyds A100) on the Chesapeake Bay for
several years (1970's) I would recommend either a shallow fixed keel (Cal
20, D&M 22). Both have fixed keels, 3-feet deep, and are stiff and stable.
The twin keel design places the keels slightly pin-toed so that your
downwind performance is sort of bleak. Perhaps if you could find a
Snapdragon 26 (also Lloyds A100) you would get better performance. The
Vivacity had the keels glassed in and they were quite thick. If you run
aground even slightly you do not rock a twin keel off the bottom. On the
other hand you can put up enough sail to actually pull one of the keels out
of the water on a Vivacity. If I can locate a photo of us doing it I'll put
it on the web. My current D&M 22 does a fine job sailing the Key Largo
area - inside when the ocean kicks up and outside when it 3 feet or less.
Also check the mast and boom length on the twin keel. On the Vivacity the
mast was very short and the boom very long. On the plus side, a twin keel
doesn't need a cradle when you pull it out.

Capt NJ Marinaro


"John Smith" wrote in message
...
Neither. Twin Keel is the best choice.

M.