When you sail a sailboat, you discover a fusion of adventure, tranquility and profound interconnection with the natural world. From the soothing lapping of water against the hull to the rhythmic creaking of the rigging, sailing is a serene escape from the busyness of everyday life and offers an unparalleled glimpse into mankind’s maritime history.
A sailboat’s main attraction is its sails, but it also has an important piece of structure beneath the waterline that contributes to a boat’s performance and durability—the keel. Keels are designed to help a sailboat maintain its balance and stability, even when the wind is blowing hard.
The keel of a sailboat is long and runs the entire length of the boat’s water line. This design is based on the fact that waves generated by boats move with their speed and are dispersive, meaning there will be many wave crests and troughs moving down the side of a boat at a low speed. But when a sailboat reaches hull speed—the point at which the wave’s wavelength just equals the length of the boat’s water line—then there is one large well-formed wave with its crests at the bow and stern.
Sailboats with two masts, such as ketches and yawls, have a mizzen mast at the aft end of the vessel that is typically shorter than the main mast. This design, called a split rig, provides extra sail area and is easier to manage when sailing shorthanded.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.