Questions from prospective owner

[Kuy]

Hi,

I'm considering joining the U20 community as an owner; but before I do, I'm hoping that someone can help with some general questions.

1) lifting keel; keel up while under power
I'm considering different ways of overcoming some depth and water level issues.  Ideally, I'd like to be able to power out to depth with the keel up (e.g. no more than half a mile).  Once at depth, I'd like to drop the keel and put up the sails.  How does the lifting keel work, exactly?  Is it intended only to be dropped/lifted immediately before/after trailering (e.g. at the bottom of the ramp)?  Is it possible to operate under power with the keel up, or will this just lead to a lot of bailing and pumping?  Some of the newer sport boats even claim some sailing ability with the keel up.  Where does the U20 stand on this issue?  Is the keel housing sealed at all while the keel is up?  I'm not really concerned about sailing with the keel up; just about motoring out to deeper water.

2) stepping the mast
How easy (and time-consuming) is it to step the mast and tension the rig?  Is it something that a single person (after becoming experienced) could do in less than 30 minutes?

3) performance
(This is really just for interest; and doesn't affect the likelihood of me buying a boat).  What does it take to get this boat planing?  Is this a somewhat regular event, or is it really only on the big days?  Are we talking ~15 kts, or more like 25+?  Does anyone have polars?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Kuy

[Jay Harland]

Kuy,

As to #1, you could do what you are talking about, but you would need a "dummy rudder/tiller" that is essentially the same depth as your motor (or maybe about 6 inches deeper).  It could just be something you fashion out of marine plywood.  The rudder is just as long as the keel (or almost anyway) and you would not want to have to steer just with a motor for half a mile in and out.  This area would need to be pretty protected to make sense.  The boat is pretty stable with the keel up but you still don't want it bashing back and forth against your keelbox while you are getting out to deeper water.  This would cause water to get in and you would have to do some bailing.  As much as I like to promote the U20, this sounds like a pain if this would be the situation every time you go out.  If this issue is tide dependent (done occasionally) or a water-year deal (on a lake where it is a month out of the year).  If this is every time and it was me I would be thinking multi-hull that drafts eight inches (Weta Trimaran? Hobie 18? Prindle 18?)

#2.  It depends what you mean by stepping the mast.  Getting the mast up takes something like 30 minutes.  That is different from going from trailer mode to race ready sail mode.  This is more like 1.5 hours if you are hustling.  Just getting the mast stepped does not mean you have it trued and tuned, jib on and furled, boom on and rigged, etc.  If you are doing it alone you would want to get one of Michael Eisenberg's mast raising systems.

#3.  Depends on how much crew weight you have.  If you are in the 300# all up range you will start planing out at around 11kt true wind speed (tws) and fully planing at 13kt tws.  If you are class max (616# I believe), then it is more like starting to plane at 12.5kt tws and fully planing at 14kt tws.  The above is assuming you are going from "soak mode" to plane deep mode.  If you are just broad reaching then you can start planing in about 9kt tws.

Jay



 

[Gregg Henning]

Kuy,

1)  Yes you can motor with Keel up.  The more you can lower it the better the boat tracks and manuevers.  Jay is correct with the rudder.  There is such thing as a kick up rudder that is class legal that some U20's have for the depth issues.  Water should not be a problem unless you are motoring out with keel up with choppy or large waves.

2)  I have had my boat for 11 years now and I can be race ready in less that 45 minutes from rolling in to a regatta.

3) Jay is right on with the planing conditions.  11-12 knots of breeze you can start to plane.  There are no polars for this boat since wind and waves can change this equation considerably.

Keep the questions coming!

Gregg

[Mike Josselyn]

I motor out from a launch ramp and have found that the 2hp Honda Long shaft works well when you can't use a rudder.  It offers better steering ability than the short shaft but still not as good as a rudder. 

[Kuy]

Thanks guys,

Looks like I have a few options.  The depth issue is such that a five foot draft, through the marina channel, might be a bit too close for comfort if the water level drops more and/or there are some bigger waves.  The likely solution would be to pull the keel up part-way in this situation, if/when it occurred.

BTW - I'm on Lake Huron.  The concern is the overall year-on-year drop in water levels.  As the situation deteriorates, there is less and less participation in the local boat clubs in my area, and therefore less work being done (e.g. dredging) to maintain accessibility.  But, I refuse to stare at the lake and admit that it's still not a fantastic sailing venue.  It might be tough, but it's still worth it.

[Mark Allen]

Kuy,
  We have the same situation on the GSL. The water drops 2 feet over the course of the summer and many bouts drawing over 5 feet can't get out. The U20 was a great option for me because we can drive out with the keel partway up and lower once out of the marina. I never had a kick up rudder but I was ready to pull it off if needed.

Mark

[Brad Boston]

Kuy,

Where on Huron do you sail. We have two here in Sarnia that you could come and go for a sail. Let me know your thoughts...

Brad Boston
(519)344-5236

[Kuy]

Brad,

I'm in the process of moving back to Ontario permanently from BC; and then will be traveling for a few weeks.  I'll probably give you a call early/mid-July once the dust settles.

I'm at Point Clark, which is south of Kincardine (north of Goderich).

Kuy

[grossmak]

I too am curious about polars for the boat given frequent light air sailing conditions on the GSL.  To sail with polars would require ability to determine TWA and presently class rules prohibit racing with this kind of instrumentation.  Would probably only be useful sailing PHRF on light wind days.

Also, has the class looked at the new wind-shift instrument from velocitek and made a decision regarding legality?