| Author | Message | ||
     Dick Daniels (Dick) Rating: N/A |
You have heard correctly. My boat had three holes added to the keel by S2. The holes were filled with some sort of material which over time absorbed water and leaked through to the surface all winter. Overtime this resulted an an ugly, bumpy messy keel which needed to be fared. We followed instructions from S2 which included removal of the filling material, replacement with a new plastic (foam?), removal of a band of led in the area of the holes which allowed fiber glass to be fared in over the holes. The boat is still way over weight but the process was approved and did not result in a penalty. I agree with Scott, removing weight from the keel won't do good things for our boats. | ||
| Michael Greenwald Rating: N/A |
Gents, I recall that Loren Thomson (Kahuna) or Gary Hendrix(Nomad (Boat Formerly Known As UffDa)) talked about this topic. But check with Dick Daniel, as well. MPG | ||
| Scott Corder (Commodore) Rating: N/A |
As mentioned by Russ below, the factory did, in fact, modify some of the keels on early hull numbers to bring the keel weights into line with one-design specs. We looked into this matter as a Class a few years ago and confirmed this with the factory. As the owner of hull #2, I can vouch for the fact that keel weights do vary as mine weighs 3355 vs the 3250 specified. You can verify your keel weight in two ways: it is stamped on the top of the keel (only visible if you remove the keel from the boat), or you may have the original keel weight certificate from the factory. If you do not have the keel weight certififcate, you may request one from the factory by following the instructions for contacting the factory elsewhere on the web site. Be sure to tell them your hull number. The bottom line is this: Modifying your keel WILL result in a PHRF penalty and WILL result in non-compliance with Class Rules. Furthermore, there probably is not much advantage to be gained by removing weight from where you want it most. There are alot of other places on the boat where you can legally remove weight with much greater effect on performance. Like me, you may be amazed to realize just how much "stuff" can accumulate on a boat. | ||
| Russ Fender (Admin) Rating: N/A |
Ron, I'm not sure about any boat on Lake Michigan with holes in the keel. Although if you look in the technical fix section of this board and read the keel template topic, there is some note of computer keels refering to windows in the keel. Also there is a link to computer keel's website and they talk about the factory putting windows in some of the boats to get them closer to the factory specks. I hope this helps it's all I know. | ||
| Ron Spainhour Rating: N/A |
I hear that a hole of indeterminate dimension 12"-16" was cut in the center of the keel of a 9.1 that races in Lake Michigan. This hole was then faired over. If the hole is 12" in diameter the weight removed is 440#. If the hole is 16" in diameter the weight removed is closer to 700#. Have others done this to their boats? What is the performance difference? What does the local PHRF committee have to say about this? Was there a rating penalty? I would like to have my 8375# boat weigh less by removing weight. I think I would do better weighing 7675#. Would I be able to race as a 9.1 one design in the NOODs if I were to do this? |
