keskiveneinen

Keskiveneinen is a Finnish term that translates to "mid-keeled" or "central-keeled" in English. It refers to a specific type of sailing boat hull design characterized by a keel that runs approximately halfway along the length of the boat's bottom. This contrasts with fin keels, which are typically shorter and attached to the hull's underside, or full long keels, which extend for most of the hull's length.

Boats with a keskiveneinen hull often exhibit a balance between the characteristics of fin-keeled and full-keeled vessels. They tend to offer better upwind performance and stability than purely long-keeled boats due to the concentrated ballast and hydrodynamic shape of the mid-keel. However, they may not point as high or be as stiff as boats with shorter, deeper fin keels. The extended nature of the keskiveneinen also provides more lateral resistance and can offer better directional stability than some shorter keel designs.

This hull type can be found on a variety of sailing vessels, from smaller cruising yachts to larger offshore boats. The design decision to employ a keskiveneinen hull often reflects a desire to achieve a compromise between speed, stability, and ease of handling, making it a practical choice for many sailing applications. The specific shape and depth of the mid-keel can be further optimized to suit the intended use of the boat, influencing its performance in different wind and sea conditions.