A tilting keel provides stability to sailboats by pushing to the windward side of the boat as the wind pushes the sail in the other direction. It is often used with fin keels and foils for steering and maneuverability, but leakage through the plates connecting the keel to the hull is a risk.
A tilting keel is a type of ballast unit used on sailboats. The unit will push to the windward side of the boat as the wind pushes the sail in the other direction, providing stability when the boat is propelled forward or executing turns. The raked keel extends well below the hull of the boat, and is attached to the hull by a raker strut, which is an extension made of rigid material. This strut must be extremely rigid to withstand the forces of water and wind on the boat.
The raked keel is often used in conjunction with fin keels to further improve the stability of the boat. The fin keels are useful for steering and stability capabilities when the boat is listing or listing, but when the boat is righted, the fin keels do little to provide stability or the ability to right the ship when necessary. A cantilevered keel therefore performs this function by providing counterbalance to the force of the sail driven by the wind when the ship is righted. It does this by resisting movement through the water and providing lower hull ballast. The swivel keel rotates independently of the angle of the boat, which means it can provide a counterweight when needed.
Foils forward and aft, or to the front and rear of the hull, can be used for quick steering and maneuverability independent of the raked keel. The foils are sometimes shaped like airplane wings, extending vertically into the water from the hull. This design was most commonly used on larger sailing ships, but has also become more common on smaller ships. Many racing boats use the design for quick steering and stability at high speeds.
One of the biggest problems with a canted keel is the possibility of leakage through the plates that connect the keel to the hull of the boat. Leaks can cause hull damage, which in turn can present a risk of sinking the ship. Several racing boats have been lost to such a leak, and many designs have been developed to counter such problems, although the problems tend to persist. This keel design is not permitted on all types or in racing sailboats, as some race officials consider the design to be an unfair advantage over other competitors without the keel design.
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