BLUEMOMENT

Hi there.
Today I found certain boat I may be interested in. This keel however freaks me out a bit, as Im far from being expert at boat designs..




She's 28ft, and Im looking for longer passages, open sea boat. What is that keel, and why is it like that - is it sort of a dagger type? Looks like it goes inside.
thanks

its a wing keel. gets a bit more weight lower down. i`d be surprised if it is not a fixed keel.
have a google for " wing keel ".

It looks like a tandem keel desgned by Warwick Collins.

I've checked - plenty of good reviews.
This particular one however looks a bit fragile to me... Very tall rudder, with no bottom support, keel itself seems pretty thin, like it was about to break itself off at first wave
Im after fast cruising boat but safety and reliability is my main concern here... pity I've got about 300miles to place where she's berthed (Cornwall), would take closer look myself.
Interesting boat though.

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Warwick Collins tandem wing keel. Allows reduced draft with the same stability and is claimed to reduce pitching in a seaway. Also easy to dry out. It's a strong design, with less leverage than a full length fin so actually less susceptible to damage. Do check the keelbolts though if these are accessible. I sometimes sail a Sigma 33C with this type of keel and she sails like a witch.

Looks like a big spade rudder, the same as the Sigma. It's a bit vulnerable to ropes etc but will make her very responsive on the helm. Have you asked the seller what type she is?

He hasn't got much of an idea what she is. He inherited the boat after his uncle, and not sailed her, and not planning to. He says she may be a racer. Pretty young boat, with no interior fitted - so he may be right. A bit difficult to moor her too, soft mud i've got available, which most fins would stick into, wont do due to the wing on the keel - so full tide marina only I guess.

It looks secure enough though I would put it more in the preformance league than a boat for someone looking for a sturdy sea boat to do longer passages in. From the arse end pic it has a big cockpit and small accommodation, I'd keep looking.

picture is a bit misleading actually.
She's fast cruiser with pretty regular cockpit and large large accommodation space (old 80' Pacesetter 28). Normally regular fin - in this case tandem. Spoke to the owner and he thinks someone has modified her for racing...