keels

[cherkas@shaw.ca]

Do I want to put a keel on my Prospector?
All comments welcome.
Thanks
Murray

[Glen Smith]

I believe that most people who build a Prospector select this model partly because of its maneuverability. Adding a keel would pretty well kill that aspect of the design. However, if you chose the Prospector for some other reason and want to improve its tracking, a keel could be the answer. Ted Moores recommends either a "shoe keel" or no keel at all on this boat.
_________________
Need books, plans, building materials or outfitting supplies? Bear Mountain has it all: http://www.bearmountainboats.com/products.htm
Glen Smith in Baie-St-Paul.

[Bryan Hansel]

Personally, I steer clear of keels. In a properly designed canoe, like the Prospector, good paddling technique will make up for any tracking advantages that you may gain from the keel. Plus, a keel, like Glen said, will take away from the maneuverability of the canoe making it more difficult to turn and it will take away many of the great characteristics of that hull design. Plus, extra weight, more work ...

So, unless you are highly, highly concerned about damaging the bottom of your canoe, I'd skip the keel.
_________________
Bryan Hansel
PaddlingLight.com - Lightweight canoe and kayak travel: a philosophy and a way of life
On Twitter: @bryanhansel

[cherkas@shaw.ca]

Thanks for the replys. I am not installing a keel. To be certain I planed down the stem to the top of the planking. No turning back now.

Thanks
Murray

[Glen Smith]

Murray, just for the records, a planed down stem won't prevent you from installing a keel. It is still possible to fair-in a keel but as I said before, I don't think you would really want one on a Prospector.
_________________
Need books, plans, building materials or outfitting supplies? Bear Mountain has it all: http://www.bearmountainboats.com/products.htm
Glen Smith in Baie-St-Paul.

[arcticranger]

have any of you guys installed keels on the bottom of the redbird?