Has anyone removed the bilge keels

[Hortense]

I've seen some posts saying they converted from sail boat to motor boat - but did that involve removing the 2 bilge keels.
Are they just glassed onto the hull - so could be sawn off and the stubs ground back to the hull?
I am looking to buy a trailer and would like to know if anyone trails a boat with bilge keels intact.

[kerrye]

I’ve seen sailing versions of the A25. Without bilge keels. I was not aware any A25 had bilge keels

[WillieC]

What's a bilge keel? I have seen pictures of A25s with two thangs that hang down and let it sit upright on the tide flats. Sort of.

[kerrye]

That’s a set of bilge keels. One on either side instead of or in addition to a center keel

[kerrye]

https://afloat.ie/boats-for-sale/file/d ... 6bef133786

[WillieC]

Nice research, Kerrye. Apparently they can be trailered.

[sail149]

Nice find of an Albin with bilge keels.
Bilge keels are actually very common in areas with high tidal range like the UK or Northern Europe . I'm surprised they are not more common in Southern Puget sound , you have some big tides and , some,soft plates to dry out.
The link below has lots of photos many are of bilge keel boats.
https://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/saili ... -the-naze/
They can also be found on large boat too
Like this steel boat being built in OK
https://youtu.be/yHdaSB94voQ

The added drag limits a sailboats performance so are not usually considered a performance enhancement
Unless you get radical like this
https://goo.gl/images/NHZEP9
And make them lifting bilge keels and add a canting keel on centerline!
Cheers Warren

IMG_2229.JPG

[Hortense]

Bilge keels shown in picture. Can I saw them off without damaging the hull ( were they applied to the surface of the completed hull during manufacture.

[kerrye]

Why do you want to remove them?

[Beta Don]

Good question

No doubt they stiffen the hull a great deal

They are designed to support the weight of the boat - If you cut them off and wanted to trailer the boat, what would you use to support the weight of the boat?

Don

[WillieC]

I would like to have bilge keels up here on the Sound. Would be very nice for intertidal quickie maintenance projects, anode and prop inspection, seaweed removal.