In 1983, Australia II made sailing history by winning the America’s Cup, breaking the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year hold on the prestigious trophy. Central to this monumental achievement was its groundbreaking winged keel.
Do you remember the cloak and dagger story surrounding that weird keel design? The Aussies had something no one else had used before. And nobody was allowed to see it while the regatta was underway! Covers shielded it from view. It was scandalous. Horrifying. Intriguing. Thrilling.
Rumours said it had wings. What kind of wings? Big? Small? Long? Did they flap? We’re they straight or bent? Metal or fiberglass?
When the keel was finally revealed, the sounds of a-ha could be heard across the globe. Everyone got a chance to see what helped break that long-held record.
Since the ’83 win, debates linger about whether that revolutionary shape improved the boat’s sailing performance. Experienced skippers and boatbuilders doubted it. Nevertheless, facts about the keel are documented on the Web and are as follows:
Improved Hydrodynamic Efficiency
The winged keel gave Australia II a significant performance edge by reducing drag and improving the yacht’s lift-to-drag ratio. This enhancement allowed the vessel to slice through the water more efficiently, enabling faster speeds and better overall performance.
Enhanced Stability
The keel’s distinctive wing-like structures acted as horizontal stabilizers. Lowering the yacht’s centre of gravity increased stability, even in turbulent conditions. This improved stability allowed the crew to sail at optimal angles, maintaining speed and control under pressure.
Superior Upwind Performance
The innovative design allowed Australia II to sail closer to the wind, a critical advantage during the upwind legs of the race. This ability to “point higher” gave the yacht an edge in covering shorter distances, conserving valuable time and energy during races.
Increased Maneuverability
The winged keel also enhanced Australia II’s agility. Its improved maneuverability allowed the yacht to respond quickly to tactical shifts and challenges from competitors, a vital factor in match racing where every second counts.
Designed by Ben Lexcen, the winged keel was said to be the most revolutionary development in modern yacht racing. No one came close to touching Australia II with its superior, winged keel advantage.
But this crescendo is where the story of the keel ends, and it stops fast.
Despite the so-called benefits of such a keel, the sailing fraternity never adopted it. Yacht races are held worldwide every week and have done so ever since the 1983 race. No one uses winged keels. None are developing them either. The best revolution in 50 years was dropped in the blink of an eye. So, what happened? If it was so good, why didn’t it stay?
The keel didn’t work. That’s the conclusive answer. A single keel just does fine. Long-finned, bulb-weighted and cantilever keels took over. Winged keels became history overnight.
Cruise sailing was a big part of my life. I met many marine tradespeople who built yachts, and I asked them about the winged keel of Australia II. Their comments had familiar tones: Anything gained while sailing windward is lost downwind due to increased drag. There’s too much wetted-surface area from the second keel to do any good.
They say a winged keel can’t win a yacht race. All it offers is a psychological advantage for the team using it or a perceived disadvantage for the opposing team. And all it needs is for enough people to believe in it to see it as a benefit or a threat.
Is this what happened in 83? Did the American crew get spooked by a placebo keel? Did the American Skipper overthink the race, and instead of sailing the best one on his boat, did he inadvertently try to sail the Australian boat instead?
If so, the placebo worked, influencing the American Skipper to run a loss, allowing the Australians to win the cup.
That’s the real story behind the secret, winged keel.
Discover more from Michael Forman – Author of Dark Fiction & Drama
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