Full Keel vs Fin Keel: Which Is Better for Crossing Oceans?

Full Keel vs. Fin Keel: Which one will keep you safe offshore? It is the oldest debate in cruising. Traditional sailors swear by the heavy-duty tracking of a full keel, while modern sailors love the speed and agility of a fin keel. But when you are thousands of miles from land and a storm hits, which hull shape do you want under your feet? In this video, we compare Full Keel vs. Fin Keel across 5 critical categories for ocean crossing: Heavy Weather Handling: Which boat heaves-to better and tracks straighter in a gale? Grounding & Durability: What happens when you hit a container or run aground? Repair at Sea: Which rudder is easier to fix when disaster strikes? Speed & Performance: Is the speed of a fin keel worth the trade-off in comfort? Autopilot & Tracking: Which boat wears out your self-steering gear faster? If you are planning to cross an ocean, you need to watch this before you buy your boat. ⏱️ CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro: The Great Keel Debate 01:02 1. Handling in Heavy Weather (Comfort vs. Speed) 02:20 2. Durability & Grounding Risks (Encapsulated vs. Bolted) 03:24 3. Maintenance & Repair at Sea (Skeg vs. Spade Rudder) 04:47 4. Performance & Speed on Long Passages 06:47 5. Steering & Tracking (Autopilot Stress) 08:55 Outro: Which Keel Fits Your Style? 🔔 Subscribe for more sailboat design comparisons, bluewater cruising tips, and honest boat reviews. 💬 Team Full Keel or Team Fin Keel? Let us know your preference in the comments! #SailboatDesign #FullKeel #FinKeel #BluewaterCruising #BoatBuying #OffshoreSailing #SailingSafety #KeelTypes