What is a boat keel?
A keel plays an important role in the proper navigation of a boat, particularly in sailboats. In appearance, it is a flat wooden or metal portion of the bottom of the boat that is hidden beneath the water.SailboatsUnlike boats propelled by steam, gasoline or another mechanical method, sailboats rely primarily on the wind for their power. Therefore, the boat is much more susceptible to the pressure of the wind. The keel is designed to lessen this.FunctionThe placement, blade shape and relative size of the keel, which is larger or smaller depending on the size of the boat, helps keep the boat upright. The keel is perpendicular to the bottom of the boat and provides resistance to the force of the wind and water that might otherwise capsize the boat.BallastIn addition to keeping the boat from being moved about by the wind, the ballast for the boat is housed in the keel. The ballast is a heavy substance, sometimes sand, that keeps the boat weighted in the water.TypesLarger boats have big, h
