CHAPTER 1 Long-keeled variants


Long-keeled sailing yachts fall into three essential types with infinite variation between them. The traditional work- boat form, the yachts which evolved from it, and the fully developed modern long keel.


The classic long-keeled yacht


During the middle years of the twentieth century, the forefoot of the work-boat ‘originals’ was cut back by yacht designers to reduce the wetted area. Often, the stern post was angled forward for the same reason. Like workboats, these hulls may have a counter or a transom stern. Also like them, the form selected will not greatly affect handling. Such long-keeled classics are generally easily driven for their displacement. They are certain on the helm when manoeuvring ahead under power or sail, and are steady at sea, but they do not heave to as well as workboats.


The traditional straight-stemmed workboat This is typified by healthy draught, heavy displacement, moderate beam, a plumb stem and a deep forefoot. It may have a transom stern (planked across, with the rudder hung from it) or a counter with the rudder post coming up through the deck. Boats with this sort of hull often feature a bowsprit to balance the rig and carry the sail area needed to drive so substantial a weight. The shape was developed because a long, straight keel was a vital structural element for wooden boat builders working in simple circumstances, but it paid dividends at sea by steadiness on the helm. Good examples are well balanced so that the tiller can be left lashed for long periods. The deep forefoot gives a solid grip, invaluable when heaving to in hard weather (see page 106). Like all long-keelers, such craft are unwilling to handle astern under power. Many are now built as ‘retro’ and character cruisers.


The modern long-keeler


Towards the end of the 20th century, the forefoot was cut away even more. This creates boats which steer well when running downwind, but at the cost of lost grip on the water up forward. Such craft make first-class downwind passage makers and many are successful world cruisers, but often their handling under sail in close quarters is not so positive as either of the other types of long keeler. Like the classic yacht, their capacity to hold their heads up to the wind when hove to in a big sea is not nearly so good as that of the workboat. Indeed, some end up undesirably beam-on to the weather.


MANUAL OF SEAMANSHIP | 9


Hull Forms


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