I am soon to purchase a Catalina (was going to be a 375 but by the time my existing boat sells, will be a 385) and I am deliberating the pros and cons of wing versus fin keel. I am curious to know if people have sailed the same model catalinas but with differing keels against each other that would show how well the wing performs upwind compared to the fin keel? Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks in advance.:rolleyes:
A wing keel designed for shoat draft will never perform as well as a deep fin keel . The keel has to be heavier to achieve the same righting moment because it is shorter, therefore, the boat weights more and has to push more water out of the way as she moves. Also, the deeper fin keel will usually have less drag and be a more effective than a short wing.
Both of these traits mean you give up performance, especially to windward, with a wing. Having a fin keel on our C36, however, would mean giving up cruising where we live since the water is pretty skinny. A fin is a better choice unless draft is an issue like it is for us.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
[QUOTE=deising;9942]A wing keel designed for shoat draft will never perform as well as a deep fin keel . [/QUOTE]
I'll confirm that with side by side experience on the C25 wing versus C25 fin. The two boats sailed at the same speed, but the wing couldn't point nearly as well. Also note the detail of the quote above, that is a "wing keel design for shoal draft". Winglets got invented back in the 80's as a way to improve performance, but it was a small winglet on the end of a deep keel, much like the little wing tip additions you see on modern commercial aircraft. Not much size or weight, and no reduction in draft, just a change in geometry. That sort of wing can outpreform a standard fin, but not a stubby wing designed for shoal.
Greg Jackson
SV Jacqui Marie
2004 C36, MKII
tall rig, wing keel,