wooden keel

[inamars]

Hi there,
I would like to ask for small advice:
can I expect some "RIB characteristics" when wooden kill is instead inflatable kill (Bombard C4 is my target)
there is my big dilemma between Quicksilver 430 XS HD and Bombard C4.
Is Bombard so dominant comparing to QS 430 ?
Is that wooden kill on bombard (instead inflatable kill in QS) giving so much better driving properties ? Does bombard have any better tube material ? Almost 1000 EUR more is just for famous brand or really better choice ?

[m chappelow]

i know some wooden keels were prone to breaking years ago with hard usage especially on some of the larger boats in the 1970 s,and most semed to have bad patches of wear on the fabric ,dont know about any of the later ones.

[BumbleAbout]

My first (incorrect) guess was that you really meant a wooden floor ...

There will be Bombard & Quicksilver owners along in a second !

[Nick Hearne]

"Bombard Commando C4 4.30 Metre Inflatable
The Commando is the emblematic boat of the Bombard range. It is an adventurer with a solid reputation among explorers. It has a solid and resistant aluminium floor, as well as a rigid keel which provides excellent seaworthiness.

The commando range can be folded away into carry bags and is ideally suited for diving, fishing or just leisure cruising.

The Commando range has a monobloc floorboard system. It is made from anodised aluminium, is rust and rot proof, handles shock with ease and has a built in track for attaching accessories and equipment."

http://www.bombard.com/en/sport-pro/?commando

Yes it dose have a ridged keel & having a Bombard Airotec my self I would think it is worth the extra money if you can afford it!

Nick

[captnjack]

I had a C3 for several years. The wooden keel is much deeper than a more conventional inflated keel. While the flex of the fabric partially negates this and the wood is fairly heavy, I thought the wooden keel under ali floorboards was a great combo. While I now have an ali RIB, I'd buy a wooden keeled SIB again if some rollability was required.

[jyasaki]

Not positive, but I think the biggest disadvantages of a wooden keel are wear (both from chafing the upper side of the floor material and running across stuff on the bottom), and weight.

The stiffness of a wooden keel vs an inflatable keel has got to be a big advantage, especially in sloppy seas.

jky