Leif
Beiley F235 Lead Keel
MK
III
Improved Foil - Larger Bulb - Improved
Stiffness (see
Mk I here)
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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 was one of the first in the USA to design a custom lead
keel replacement for the iron fin and wing Beneteau First 235
keel. You can see "Pegasus"
in this very site with upclose pics of Leif's
first lead keel on the boat as well as in line
drawing form. I had a few others write me with interest concerning
the keel design since posting the Pegasus. With the added
interest, he decided it might be time for an updated keel featuring
all he had picked up since the last incarnation. There were a
few improvements based on testing on his own Bravura
Sportster 29. The result is the new keel featured here.
See the .pdf files which are linked at right as well as the graphic
below. Leif's own comments are below as well.
This looks to make the F235 a far more stiff boat as well as providing
better lift. The result should be the improvement on the handling
and peformance of the F235 in everyday conditions as well as on
the race course. In addition, I see the pointing ability as something
GREATLY improved over the wing as well as a more moderate improvement
over the rather crude stock fin. And it goes without saying, gone
will be the hassles of dealing with the RUSTING IRON KEEL, a headache
indeed. Lastly, I believe this keel does a conversion to more
traditional keel studs and nuts, thereby getting rid of the "rusty
bolts" syndrome that is common with Beneteaus of this type. |
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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
Bravura
Yachts Inc.
932 W 17th St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: 949-548-1391 Fax: 949-548-1392
E-mail: info@bravurayachts.com |
| Beneteau
First 235:
Worthy of upgrade?
Leif Beiley of Bravura
Yachts
"As for the suitability
of the F235 for upgrades, this is my opinion: For a boat
of its size I cannot think of a better all-around package
for a cruiser/racer. You are obviously well acquainted with
the accommodations, sailing qualities and quality of construction
so I will say only that there are few boats in that size
range that equal the boat.
"For
a boat of its size I cannot
think of a better all-around
package for a cruiser/racer."
The hull
shape is quite modern and certainly needs no improvement.
The waterline is long, the stern is wide, and the lines
of the hull are very straight. If you changed the deck to
look racier you could easily mistake the F235 for a much
newer boat. The same can be said for the sailplan. Overall,
I give Groupe Finot and Beneteau very high marks on this
boat." |
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UPDATE
1/05: Leif Beiley of 