[MHml] Mini-keels

[Paul Nudd]

R.A. Hettinga wrote:
I believe the "mini keels" are there to reinforce the daggerboards, or 
to give you something to beach the cat on, or something; White talks 
about it in "The Cruising Multihull"
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Glenn Brodie wrote:
> Not really mini-keels - just a short section about 3-4' long, that goes
> down about 1 foot to protect the rudder and engine in a grounding -
> intentional or otherwise. The dagger boards are for performance, with
> boards up it draws less than 3' - I view it as the _best_ of both
> worlds. :)
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Sure look like mini-keels to me and the description (3-4' x 1') sounds 
like mini-keels.
I prefer to have the bottom of the hull strong enough to sit on the 
beach as well as being able to get right up to the edge. This is not 
possible on the 'average slope' beach with 3' draft at the middle of the 
hull (mine draws 2'6" at the rudders and about 1' at the middle).
I also prefer to be able to get rid of all appendage at the middle for 
safer downwind sailing.
Mine is not the ultimate cruising boat but my ultimate cruising boat 
would have a bottom strong enough for beaching, daggerboards and no 
mini-keels, fixed spade rudders strong enough for beaching and 
retractable auxilliary drives that don't need the permanent protection 
of mini-keels.
PN