Fin keel to Wing keel?

[Russ Williams]

Has anyone ever heard of converting a fin keel to a wing keel? I've found a 1994 model 36 with a fin keel - it's a good deal but I really need wing keel here in Galveston Bay.Thanks,Russ Williamscruiser@wt.net

[LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina]

My fella bought his boat from a gentleman in Houston & when he went to go put it on a truck to bring it home, he wondered at a chart that had little "8"s all over it. He asked someone, "* fathoms???" and got the response of "Nah, 8 feet." He was amazed that people could sail such big boats with so little water & this fella replied (he has a Westsail 32) "Wahl, mah boat draaaws six feeet so Ah got two feeet undah me aaawl the time!" ;-)LaDonna

[Scott Miller]

I remember reading an article a couple of months ago, perhaps in Cruising World (but it might have been Northwest Yachting), about a similar keel conversion for, Î think, a Crealock 34. The bottom line was that the owners felt it was a success. They worked closely with the designer on the details. Sorry to be so vague, but maybe you can chase it down. Scott

[Russ Williams]

Indeed - Most of Galveston Bay is only 8-10 ft. deep. Lot's of shoals around the ship channel and other mud/shell reefs down to 2-3 ft. I've lived here my whole life, know the Bay well and have never (so far) ran aground in a sailboat. I'm sure my day is coming, especially if I stick with a 5'10" fin keel.Russ

[Jay Hill]

I've got a friend with a boat down there, but he couldn't tell me. Obviously, it's very little if any, but was just curious.

[Russ Williams]

The tidal range is about 1 to 1.5 feet. Extremes to 2-2.5 feet below exist during strong northers and the upper end is around 36 feet in a Category 5 hurricane.Russ

[Tom Lincoln]

Try contacting Mars Metals in Ontario Canada. They produce standard keels but also manufacture custom and modifications. They most likely have already researched your question. They have a web site http://www.marsmetal.on.ca/I also remember the article about the recent keel mod that Scott mentioned. As I recall they had to cut the old keel off and added bolt on winglets.I think they used a chain saw to cut away the Keel... Sounds messy.These mods are usually reserved for boats were the builder did not offer a wing keel model. Better be saving a lot to justify the cost.You may be better off to search outside your area for a wing keeled C36 and ship it in.

[T E Balon]

call catalina they will sell you a wing keel there interchangable

[Keith]

I know it can be done but I believe there is a catch you might want to consider. If you change out the keel, I believe you also need to change the rudder. I also have a fin keel and was looking at a 36 on the hard with a wing keel in the Clear Lake area. The rudder was shorter and wider than mine. Your best bet would be to find some one who would like to trade with you. I know it is not cheep either way.