Lifting Swing Keel

Lifting keels ‘the best of both worlds’ take your cruising even further.

Can you take your yacht where you want to go ? Where tides, shallow waters, interesting creeks, estuaries or canals figure in the cruising itinerary, lift keel yachts offer outstanding benefits to the cruising sailor.

	Whilst the Feeling Yacht fin keel range is ideal for deep water harbours and marinas in non-tidal waters with deep water close to the shore, the lift keel yachts enable you to be first over the sill, get into creeks and inlets that fin keels simply cannot reach, ground out at low tide or travel through the inland waterways of Europe. All of this is achieved in addition to a sailing performance that thoroughbred sailors will thoroughly enjoy and appreciate.
Alliaura Marine who acquired Kirie the builders of Feeling Yachts several years ago are world leaders in GRP lifting keel yachts. These custom built yachts have a recess that accommodates a massive grounding plate that provides the ballast and is flush or nearly so with the glass fibre hull and allows the keel to drop right through rather like a dinghy centreboard. Either side of a Feeling grounding plate are two small winglets, rather like little bilge keels that give stability to the yacht when grounded with the additional stability and support of the twin
rudders. Massively strong stainless steel frames and rudder stocks provide strength while an efficient fibreglass aerofoil blade gives balance and sailing speed.

The twin rudders offer additional stability when grounding and excellent control when the yacht is heeled, when one comes out of the water the other is digging in deeper.

The lifting system:
The lift system on the 32, 36 and 39 involves a few turns on the winch of the keel uphaul which is relayed via blocks and stainless tubes either side of the companionway. The keel drops down on its own weight and is secured by a down haul line. The 44 has a hydraulic ram system with push button controls.

Are lifting keels more expensive ?
Yes, a little but this can be justified by savings made on expensive marina and mooring charges and generally higher second hand values.

Advantages of Lifting Keel :

With the lifting keel you can explore the extensive continental inland water ways through to the Mediterranean, access rivers, creeks and harbours at a much wider range of tides.

Have the ability to ground out a low tide opening up a wider cruising field.

Lifting keel yachts are heavier since they have more ballast making them steadier and more stable than their often flightier fin keel sisters.

The refined aerofoil keel gives the yachts a far deeper keel going up wind than a standard fin keel providing superb sailing performance.


	Williams & Smithells (England & Wales) 3, Channel Way, Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, United Kingdom SO14 3TG Tel +44 (0)23 8033 4445 or Email us	Whiterock Yachts (Ireland & Scotland) Sketrick Island Whiterock, Newtownards, NI, BT23 6QH Tel +44 (0)28 9754 2910 or Email us