PDQ 34/36 Curved Keels?

PDQ issues applicable across all PDQ Yachts (or if you can't find a place for something, it probably belongs here for now)
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aquavit362
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PDQ 34/36 Curved Keels?

Post by aquavit362 »

Hello-
I’m looking at a PDQ 34/36 and looking for some information regarding the keels. This boat is an early boat without the sugar scoop walk off transoms. upon inspection, I observed the keels were curved from the hull down inward. From appearance they looked to be the same on both sides. I have seen a few PDQ’s out of the water and they are all symmetric centerline keels that I have seen, the same keel shape for both hulls. Does anyone know what is going on here? As an early boat there can be oddities, there often are design changes made for later models but I find it surprising to have a curved asymmetric keel. Anyone know anything about this or whom I may talk to for some insight?
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Starboard keel leading edge
Starboard keel leading edge
Port hull keel rearview
Port hull keel rearview
port hull keel review close
port hull keel review close
port hull leading edge
port hull leading edge
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thinwater
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Re: PDQ 34/36 Curved Keels?

Post by thinwater »

If it were damage, there would be cracks, not such weird curves. I hope someone knows.

Certainly you want to pull up the floors and look at the bilge. It's hard to tell much from the photos, but I would certainly want to see how it pointed during a sea trial. If it is terrible and that matters to you, major reconstruction may be in your future, which may not be as bad as it sounds. Much depends on the rest of the boat. If the keels do need replaced, I probably would not duplicate the factory design (I think they can be improved). I modified mine, and it really helped. There was an article in Practical Sailor, and it is described here:

Image
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James Power
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Re: PDQ 34/36 Curved Keels?

Post by James Power »

We saw this boat hauled out at the Hinkley yard in Stuart. Not sure of the story with the keel shape but can confirm it was not done at the PDQ factory.

James
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thinwater
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Re: PDQ 34/36 Curved Keels?

Post by thinwater »

Then if they were modified, the purpose is baffling. Harsh words, but look at the blunt trailing edge. If this were any kind of attempt at improvement, it would have been cleaned up and brought back to a square 1/4-inch edge.

It should com out more like this (lower right, PDQ 32):
Image

You need to take it out and see what kind of angle it tacks through.
Writing full time since 2014.
"Rigging Modern Anchors,"Seaworthy Press, https://www.amazon.com/Rigging-Modern-A ... 1948494078
Book Store. http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2017/ ... store.html
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