Leif
Beiley Re-Designs his F235 Lead Keel
Improved
Foil - Larger Bulb - Improved Stiffness for the
Beneteau F235
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Leif
Beiley was one of the first in the USA to design
a custom lead keel replacement for the iron
fin and wing Beneteau
First 235. See the first via "Pegasus"
at right. The new keel is a nice upgrade to
this earlier Leif design, which was no slouch
on the course either.
This looks to make the F235 more stiff in air
as well as providing better lift. The result
is an improvement in the pointing, handling,
and peformance of the F235 in everyday conditions
as well as on the race course. Of course, say
goodbye to the hassles of dealing with the ever
onslaught of the RUSTING IRON KEEL, a headache
indeed. Lastly, these Beiley keels do a conversion
to the more traditional keel studs and nuts,
thereby getting rid of the "rusty bolts"
syndrome that is common with many Beneteaus
of this era.
Original
Beneteau First 235 Fin
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The Beneteau F235 Pegasus, with Beiley's first
F235 keel
Beneteau First 235 Pegasus - original Beiley
design
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Goals
include modern foil sections, improved drag/lift
ratio, improved righting moment, improved pointing
ability, more lead in bulb
- Draft:
4' 7"
- Ballast:
905 lbs
- Fin:
640 lbs
- Bulb:
265 lbs
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Leif
Beiley comments on his new keel design:
We have finished the
design for the new keel that so many F235 owners have
been asking for. The new keel is a real departure from
the original cast iron version as well as the last one
I did ten or so years ago. This keel incorporates modern
foil sections, slightly more draft and a larger bulb.
The entire keel weighs 905 pounds. By reducing the chord
length of the fin we increase its aspect ratio, thus
improving the lift/drag ratio. This also has the effect
of putting more lead in the bulb so righting moment
is also increased. In terms of weight distribution,
my last keel was 85% fin and 15% bulb. In the new keel
the ratios are 69% and 31%.
The overall result will be a boat that is stiffer but
not heavier which will improve your boatspeed both upwind
and downwind.
Leif Beiley
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