Computer Keels® J/22 2010 North Americans Website

WHY THE WINNERS HAVE BETTER SPEED AND POINTING!

They have faired their keels with Computer Keels templates and know that:

the keel is a major factor in upwind speed and pointing
proper keel shape is as crucial as proper sail shape
keel fairing without templates is simply guessing
minimum keel thickness is critical
minimum keel thickness without Compukeel™ templates is difficult

HOW YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE

Cast lead keels rarely are produced as designed. for many reasons. The casual sailor could care less, but a symetrically faired keel to the proper shape and thickness can result in significant performance improvements for the racer. Keels faired using only the data in the class rules have a very fine entry. Computer Keels has incorporated proven leading edge profiles to create a class legal, hydrodynamically friendlier entry on its J22 CKD Compukeel Template Kit. Fairing the keel to these profiles reduces drag, improves pointing ability, and reduces the tendency of the keel to stall in heavier air conditions.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

The Compukeel™ Template Kit consists of four keel profiles precisely drawn in ink on Mylar for the locations defined in the class rules. The product design and instructions minimize the skill and tools required to make accurate templates using picture-mat board reinforced with wood strips (not included). This construction technique produces very accurate templates that are quickly fabricated with a minimum amount of skill using a hand saw, utility stapler, ruler, and utility knife. Or, Computer Keels Company can assemble the Compukeel™ Template Kit into ready to use Assembled Compukeel™ Templates for an additional charge . Also included are instructions explaining the keel fairing process and information to reduce or eliminate keel blistering.

Two versions of the Compukeel™ Template Kit are available. The first is the original Compukeel™ Template Kit that for twenty eight years has been used to make templates to fair more keels than any other template product. The second is the Compukeel™ II Template Kit which has additional information on the Mylar patterns, a template locating ruler with tolerances, and instructions that explain the keel fairing process in much greater detail than the original. The improved instructions and the additional information on the patterns is the result of user feed back and incorporates the best practices found by many users. These additions speed up and clarify the keel fairing process. Also included is a checklist of items to prevent or eliminate performance problems resulting from the keel and rudder along with other boat preparation details that many people overlook.

Fairing rudders has less impact on performance than fairing the keel because they are much smaller than the keel, are generally more accurately produced, and the angle of attack can be changed to get the desired response. Most people find that simply rounding off the leading edge, squaring off the trailing edge and block sanding or filling the waviness and hollows provides the majority of improvement available from fairing a rudder. USA boat rudders made before 1986 were quite variable (usually too fat and heavy). Fairing one of these rudders can be time consuming and if incorrectly done can result in the rudder breaking. Many people who fair the rudder are trying to acheive minimum weight as much as the performance improvement of a minimu thickness, templated fair rudder. However for those looking for these improvements, Compukeel™ J/22 rudder Template Kits consisting of a full scale rudder complete profile,are available in either a class rule version or a proprietary version. The proprietary version is slightly more stall resistant when close reaching with the spinnaker.

THE RESULTS

The following regatta results demonstrate the significance of the keel on J/24 performance. In a six race regatta, the winning skippers of each fleet (J/24, SONAR, MORC, PHRF, etc.) raced in J/24s to determine the skipper of the year. The nine boats were rotated among skippers after each race. Every race was won by a boat having a keel faired using a template. The top three boats had keels faired using Computer Keels patented templates with an average finish of 3.25. The average finish for the non-Computer Keels faired boats was 5.75. Other Compukeel™ Winning performances

MORC International Champion
Catalina 27 National Champion
J/24 Mid-winters Champion
Many class winners at Key West Race Week
Many class winners at various NOOD regattas

Click on Boat to order	Original Compukeel™ Template Kit	Compukeel™ II Template Kit	Keel Template Kit Assembly	Rudder Template Kit	Rudder Kit Assembly
J/22 CKD	$176	$266	$225	$27	$55
J/22 CKD NA entrant special	$176	$266	$225	$27	$55

USA normal shipping on kits is $20. Rush shipping is available, call for details. Shipping Assembled Templates outside the United States is extremely expensive and slow. The Template Kit is easily and quickly shippable outside the United States.

If you have any questions, contact us using our on-line inquiry form, write us at COMPUTER KEELS COMPANY, P.O. Box 39757, Edina, MN 55439 or call (952) 829-5670,or e-mail: info@computerkeels.com

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