Pearson Vanguard Keel Specs

Early boats were flat-bottomed. Over time, boats became larger and faster. A keel is an essential component to a sailboat. It is an extension of the bottom of the hull and provides stability. Without a keel, sailboats will be pushed sideways by the wind and waves. The Pearson Vanguard is a full-keeled boat, with the keel extending more than half the length of the boat from the bow to the stern. Fin keels are less than 50 percent the length of the boat, are narrow and extend deeper than a full-keel.

  1. Pearson Vanguard

    • Designed by Phillip Rhodes in 1964, 404 Pearson Vanguards were produced between 1964 and 1967. The boats were made in Bristol, Rhode Island, and this model is no longer in production. Pearson was one of the first fiberglass sailboats produced and many are still sailing today. Vanguards are 32 feet long.

    Keel

    • Pearson Vanguards draw 4 feet 6 inches, the distance the keel extends below the boat, so they can be sailed in water as shallow as 5 feet. Lead weighing 4,250 pounds is placed inside the keel. The lead adds stability to the boat. Since sailboats have weighted keels, they do not tend to capsize under normal conditions.

    Pros of Full Keel

    • Full-keeled boats tend to stay on a straighter course and are stronger if run aground because the impact is spread over a larger area. Since the area is larger than on a fin keel, the ballast can be spread out over a larger area, allowing the keel to be shallower.

    Cons of Full Keel

    • As a sailboat glides through the water, a vortex is formed from a turbulent swirl created as water moves under and around the keel. The vortex is drawn behind the boat and creates drag, a pressure area that tends to pull on the stern and slow the boat. A long keel creates a bigger vortex and more drag. To overcome the drag, more sail area is needed, meaning a higher mast. The mast makes the boat top-heavy, so to overcome it, more ballast is added to the boat. All of these elements come together to produce a boat that is sturdy but heavy. It will sail well but not fast.

    Design

    • Vanguards were built when fiberglass was first used for boat hulls. Before that, most sailboats were made from wood so the designers followed the wood blueprints. The result is a narrow beam boat, the width of the boat at its widest point, thick hull and limited space below decks. The Vanguard has a Universal Atomic 4 30-horsepower gasoline engine with a 25-gallon fuel tank. It also contains a 50-gallon water tank.