In this article, we'll detail what makes the centreboarder such a special choice, its sailing advantages, its relative disadvantages and why it's ideal for sailors looking for freedom and safety.
What is a centreboarder ?
A centreboarder is a sailboat whose fixed keel is replaced by a mobile, retractable centerboard, which can be fully retracted into the hull by pivoting on an axis. In this way, the boat's draft is reduced to the submerged volume of the hull, which means that in the raised position, the yacht can navigate in very shallow areas and even run aground without risk on a beach or sandbank. When lowered, the centerboard acts as an anti-drift plane, as with a keelboat, enabling the yacht to sail upwind, close-hauled, without skidding. centreboarders Garcia Yachts meet the same stability requirements as keelboats.
Compared with keelboats, centreboarder offer far greater freedom of navigation. In particular, it allows access to wild anchorages in shallow waters, to get as close as possible to a beach where others can't go, and in bad weather, a centreboarder can also take shelter in small anchorages, sheltered from the coast. aluminium models, like those designed and produced by Garcia Yachtscombine sturdiness and safety, essential for offshore sailing.
Advantages and disadvantages of aluminium centreboarder
Versatile navigation
The first advantage of a centreboarder with a shallow draft is access to shallow water. Unlike keelboats, beaches, lagoons and rivers are all accessible to a centreboarder. And with a safe aluminium hull , even the most adventurous can venture into poorly mapped areas. For long-distance travelers, the centreboarder solution is ideal.
Smooth sailing
With the centreboarder raised on downwind points of sail, a centreboarder offers much smoother movement, thanks to the virtual absence of roll. In heavy seas, the boat can skid sideways, with no side-hook effect, and - the ultimate safety feature - remain maneuverable, even in breaking waves. Life on board is all the smoother and more comfortable, which is essential for long crossings lasting several days or even weeks.
Security
From a safety point of view, a centreboarder, thanks to his Shallow draft , can, in the event of very bad conditions, find refuge as close to the coast as possible, in a shallow cove, to take shelter. A keelboat will be unable to do the same.
Upwind performance
In the minds of many, centreboarders offer poor upwind performance. But today's hulls have come a long way in terms of performance. Of course, a centreboarder will never head as far upwind as a keelboat, but the great French naval architect Olivier Racoupeau has designed modern, stable and well-balanced hulls for the GarciaExploration that sail upwind honestly, thanks in particular to their optimized weight distribution, inertia and comfortable passage through the wave.
Care and maintenance
A centreboarder allows you to land on a beach. When blue water cruising, you can inspect your living works without having to take the boat out of the water. It also provides easy access to sacrificial anodes for checking and replacement. If the boat needs to be taken out of the water for wintering, it will always be easier to handle and find a place for a centreboarder.
Analuminium centreboarder to go where?
Offshore sailing and blue water cruising
A centreboarder is ideal for adventurers traversing the oceans, from the Northwest Passage to the Tropics. Its comfort at sea, especially downwind, is particularly well suited to this program.
Blog link to "Grand voyage" article
Coastal navigation and shallow waters
For those who don't plan to cross the oceans, the centreboarder is just as suitable, thanks to its Shallow draft , which allows access to the most isolated anchorages, close to shore or in rivers.
Difficult weather conditions
For sailors who are going to encounter strong wind and sea conditions, particularly in the Arctic and Antarctic, the centreboarder is also especially recommended, both for its seaworthy qualities in heavy seas, and for its ability to take shelter in inaccessible areas.
Blog link to "Hautes Latitudes" article
Around the world
Whensailing around the world, mostly on downwind points of sail, when weather hazards may be encountered, when the boat will need to be checked and sometimes wintered ashore, the aluminium centreboarder is undeniably the ideal solution.
Blog link to "Around the world" article
The centreboarder by Garcia Yachts
Garcia Yachts designsaluminium Twin rudders centreboarders for adventure. For all the qualities listed above, the shipyard is convinced that this is the best type of sailboat for exploring the world under sail, off the beaten track. Garcia Exploration cabin cruisers, available in 45-, 52- and 60-foot versions, also offer exceptional on-board comfort, thanks in particular to their deck saloon, thermal insulation and incomparable finish quality.
Thealuminium centreboarder represents the quintessence of the cruising sailboat: freedom, safety and versatility. At Garcia Yachtswe are passionate about developing them for sailors in search of distant horizons. Whether it's an expedition in cold seas or an exploration of turquoise waters, our sailboats are designed to take their owners wherever their dreams take them.
