No more keel

[Twin Fins]

In the early days carolina boats had full keels.I worked on a 55' Billy Holton (Hit N Run)that had one.She was a hard chine, planning hull with twin engines. She would lay over like a champ in both following and stern quarter seas.The boat was just hard to handle.We took her to the yard popped a chalk line and cut it it off,leaving 6-8".The result was a huge improvement
in handling , very little in speed. This was found to be true on all boats here in which the keels were removed.None were ever put back on.
My question is this.What would happen to a soft chine DE boat if you removed the keel(blocked it out in the mold),leaving enough for blocking(6-8").Ran the shaft to a strut moving the wheel further aft and used hanging rudders(move way aft as well).This would decrease shaft angle,increase water flow to the wheel,allow the individual to determine wheel size.I operated a single screw with twin rudders and she handled great around the dock.Is there a negative from doing this to a DE used as a sport boat? Your opinion on the results if this was done.

 

[Raider Ronnie]

There is a 37 Duffy that winters at my marina lot.
It has the aft part of the keel cut, starting about mid ship and the boat is powered with twins with stafts & struts like a sportfisher.
Had a conversation with the owner last fall and he said the boat is awesome and it flies.
In contrast , on Cape Cod there is a 35 JC with twins that according to stories turned into a nightmare & lawsuit according to the stories I've been told.

 

[CEShawn]

There is also that big Nauset 42 or something that with a tower and believe twins became a nightmare too.

Interesting thoughts with the keel. I know I've seen them cut off Wesmac's and Duffy/Atlantic 37 but think that was more for the ride than for performance.

 

[Twin Fins]

On the Hit N Run we gained very little speed but the handling in a following/stern quarter was much better and well worth the effort..

 

[Twin Fins]

I had a 35 JC and it was a head sea machine.By far the worst following sea boat.

 

[CEShawn]

Still trying to see if someone can pull it out of the closet. There was something about when the Wesmac 38 and Atlantic 37, once they passed like 24 or 26 knots, if you didn't cut off the keel, it keel walked or something undesirable.