Trident 24 - Drop keel

The Trident was originally conceived as a drop-keeler though this version proved to be the least popular of the three on offer. Only about one in six are centreboarders. With their 230lb steel plate down they draw up to 5'9" (1.75m). But with it raised they float in just 2'1" of water.

The ½" hot-dipped galvanised steel plate is raised and lowered by a stainless steel wire attached to a winch. The plate is housed in a GRP plate casing that minimises the leaks that plague wooden centreboard cases. The 3/16"pivot bolt passes through the 1,580lb cast iron ballast keel outside the boat so cannot give rise to leaks. The 9 inch high ballast keel is attached with eight 5/8" keel bolts. The centreboarder also normally has a lifting steel rudder plate though Alan Hill also drew the dimensions for a shallow fixed alternative similar in shape to the triple keeler's rudder.

A few centreboarders were fitted with short bilge keels to enable them to stay upright when aground (see right).

The centreboard winch is normally mounted to port inside the saloon on the cockpit bulkhead. It is operated by a handle on the outside.

A table can be mounted on the centreboard case in the saloon.