Keel Walking

[67hat34c]

Starting new thread on this issue.

I remember some talk over the last few years about cutting down the keel. Think i would pass on that idea.

I did have one idea that stems from an experience I had back in the early 1980's. We had a Ski Supreme, inboard ski boat with 3 fins . The boat tended to wander back and fourth while in the slalom course. Someone showed my how to file one side of the trailing edge of the rudder. not much but enough to rough up the edge. this caused the boat to pull to one side which was better than the walking. you had to keep your hand on the wheel but the boat tracked normal in the slalom course.

i wonder if some minor tuning on both rudders would cause torque to prevent walking. Possibly changing the hydrodynamics of a rudder would help. I would wonder if lets say you tuned both inside trailing edges that it might cause enough torque but still allow the boat to track strait without it pulling to one side.

Toeing in the rudders would appear to be one solution but if done too much would cause too much drag.

another thing to consider would be some change of the hydrodynamics of the hull or keel that would not cause structural damage.

Maybe Slane has an answer , differnent shape or size of rudders? Just some thoughts

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Always having slow, underpowered MY's, I am obviously not familiar with keel walk. How does the boat act with this problem? A wandering from side to side? Just curious?

 

[Genesis]

With enough speed the boat can actually get far enough out of the water that it effectively rides on the keel.

This is unstable, as its no longer on the intended planing surface - the result is that the boat tends to "flop" from side to side.

 

[Nick]

Exactly and an uncomfortable, unstable feeling hits your stomach.

Nick

 

[67hat34c]

altering the shape of the keel is what i had in mind when i mentioned changing hydrodynamics. i thought of re shaping existing keel but that would cut into the weave and may weaken it. but bonding something to it like you and slane want to do sounds like a good idea. let me make one suggestion however. try a concave design as well as convex. try sharp corners and round corners on all 3 designs. only problem is see is when you go to blocks and stands. A special block or keel adaptor will need to be manufactured and given to the yard when hauling and blocking.

 

[garyd]

The previous owner of my boat claimed it keel walked. What I found was glassed in wedges from the factory. I asked him if it was keel walking or bow steering. He claimed Keel walking.

Removed the wedges and the boat rides like it is on rails. It runs 33kts wide open and has never keel walked once. I think a lot of folks have keel walking on the brain. A v bottom boat will try to ride on one or the other of the v's if not properly trimmed, they will do this with or without a keel.

A boat will bow steer and feel as if it is keel walking.

You would have to get a Hat moving awfully fast for it to ride up on the keel.

have fun boating.

garyd