Monday, July 7, 2008

Keeled it...


Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica
Each one of the keel rams is tested separately. First one of the hydraulic rams is activated and the keel pivots to an angle of 40º, with the boat listing so the keel stays parallel to sea level. This is done to see what pressure is applied to the hydraulic ram and if the boat could sail with just one in operation.

Once the first ram is tested and the boat’s reaction is measured, the process is repeated with the second ram pivoted to the other side. The same test also tests the stability of the boat.