if you have a sailboat with a full keel and a fin keel both the same weight would they both be as stable or would the full keel be more stable because it goes along the boat thanks.

winsten said..
if you have a sailboat with a full keel and a fin keel both the same weight would they both be as stable or would the full keel be more stable because it goes along the boat thanks.

Long keel yachts usually have slack bilges and heel early. Fin keel yachts are generally wider and stiffer for the same ballast ratio. If your curious about boat stability or need information on Limit of positive stability or STIX ratios etc I would suggest reading the Stability section on this forum.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/index.php

Particularly anything Guillermo writes!

www.boatdesign.net/forums/stability/sailing-boats-stability-stix-old-ratios-13569.html

If your looking to purchase a yacht then stability ratios are one thing to consider. Yachts that sail in the Sydney Hobart have to have a certain ratio before they can compete [I can't recall what it is}. If you buy a vessel with a measurement certificate that info is there. Obviously if you buy a sistership to any of the vessels that have sailed the Sydney/Hobart race then the stability factors will be similar or good enough.

Remember that stability ratios are just that. They are no indication of a vessels seaworthiness or comfort at sea.

It is not the length of keel which counts it is height of the centre of gravity. Same height, same mass, same stability from the keel. However that is not the total picture as hull shape also contributes to stability.