With
the wide options available for a PD Racer is it a good idea to make it
shallow draft by fitting shallow keels along the bottom?
It
is not a good solution for general performance, but for a cruising boat
it may be worthwhile. My feeling is to go for the most efficient (and
deep) foil possible - it will still be effective even when only 12
inches (300mm) is in the water - provided you don't pull the sails in
too tight. If you need to go somewhere in shallower water - get
out and walk! Hi Tim,
Pretty well - I was so caught up with the planing thing in the stronger breeze thismorn I forgot to check the tacking angle.
But
Basically right - I would expect an optimum puddleduck in moderate
winds 8 to 12 knots to be pointing around the 50 degree mark.
Hypothetically
if the bilge keel model doesn't do quite so well in deep water against
deep leeboards and centreboards - it may do a lot better in variable
depth water where it retains its lower pointing angle in a foot of
water. Which is not possible with leeboards or
Centreboards. So it might make a better gunkholer or racer for
shallow areas.
Also recreationally it might make lots of sense because of the protected hull bottom.
In other words you can match a boat to a purpose, but there is no perfect boat.
Will check the tacking angles when the wind moderates more.