Posted by Jon on June 14, 2013 at 05:33:23 user Jon.
In Reply to: Re: Recycled "Swallow" posted by Dave Thewlis on June 14, 2013 at 05:15:44:
Yes, but Amazon would let in so much more rain via the centreboard well :{)#
Actually, if they were both clinker-built, I don't think there'd be all that much difference in all-around sailing. Downwind, certainly Amazon would have some advantage with the centreboard up, but how much would depend on whether the board was wood or metal, thus how much it raised her CG and how much room there was for turbulent flow around/between the board and the well. As they ventured off the wind, Swallow's long keel would provide stability and tracking Amazon would need to lower the board at least some to attain. Beating, the fixed, long keel would resist tacking and a centreboard would provide a longer lever to resist heeling, but on a broad or beam reach, there'd be a decided advantage to the keel. All-in-all, for two clinker-built boats of that size, I don't think the drag would be a significant factor.