Keel modification

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Robert Craven

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Mar 3, 2022, 5:31:40 PM3/3/22
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Recently purchased NonSuch 30 Ultra with a full keel. Since we’re on the West Coast of Central Florida it would be much more convenient to have a Sheol keel. Is it possible to shorten the keel by 10 inches or so? Any thoughts

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Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.

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Mar 3, 2022, 7:03:16 PM3/3/22
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Some years ago I saw an article where a person cut down the keel on their boat and then added 1/2 torpedo shaped bulbs to both sides to regain the lost stability. Also some years ago Mark Ellis designed bulbs to go on the keel of Blueberry a 22 Nonsuch to provide extra stability in the strong winds of San  Francisco Bay.  Here is a link to the blog about the work.   http://nonsuch22blueberry.blogspot.com/2008/12/

Many of the 30s had shoal draft keels. In the brochures the shoal draft is listed at 3’11 1/2”.  I suggest you contact Mark Ellis’ office and talk about you plan. 

Mark Powers


Jim Cosgrove

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Mar 3, 2022, 7:07:08 PM3/3/22
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The Nonsuch shoal draft keel is a Scheel-type keel and is completely different in profile and cross section from the standard keel. So you can’t just chop off 10”. 

I believe you’d have to have a naval architect design you a bulb of some type. The later model Nonsuches, eg 260s, have a shoal keel with a beaver tail bottom. At least the few that I’ve seen. 

Jim Cosgrove 
FATE 30U #343


On Thursday, March 3, 2022, 5:31 PM, 'Robert Craven' via INA Nonsuch Discussion Group <INA-Nonsuch-Di...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Recently purchased NonSuch 30 Ultra with a full keel. Since we’re on the West Coast of Central Florida it would be much more convenient to have a Sheol keel. Is it possible to shorten the keel by 10 inches or so? Any thoughts

Sent from my iPhone

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Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.

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Mar 3, 2022, 7:13:43 PM3/3/22
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If you follow this link you can find a picture of the 260 keel. I think it is shaped slightly differently to the shallow draft keels on the 30’s.
Mark Powers

John Alexander Stewart

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Mar 3, 2022, 7:37:39 PM3/3/22
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Here are pics of a Nonsuch 260 keel; taken 2017. Boat's name is/was Cymric

 JohnS NS26C 046, Bath ON. 
P_20171009_142656.jpeg
P_20171009_142753.jpeg
P_20171009_142714.jpeg

Jim Cosgrove

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Mar 3, 2022, 7:38:11 PM3/3/22
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I don’t know if the shoal draft keel found on the 260s is better or was cheaper to make compared to the shoal draft keel on the 26, 30, 33. A question for Mark Ellis I suppose. It certainly is quite different. 

Jim Cosgrove 
FATE 30U #343
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Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)

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Mar 3, 2022, 8:29:14 PM3/3/22
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Strongly suggest asking the original designer, Mark Ellis, about this.  He's very supportive and helpful to Nonsuch owners.

His design firm is Mark Ellis Yacht Design, www.markellisyachtdesign.com/ 

Go to that page, and click on "Contact" to get info on how to reach him.  

-- Bob
   Me Gusta
   Nonsuch 26U #233

Charles A. Mitchell, III

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Mar 4, 2022, 6:09:47 AM3/4/22
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consult with both mark ellis  and a naval architect.
not a small undertaking from  a engineering point


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