Re: Keel question
Chines I believe is what u r talking about. Dont know about the loading question Stringers are the part of the skeleton of the boat that go from side to side
No. Stringers run the length of the boat. There are 2 stringers, one on either side of the keel. They are the long support beams that generally make up the walls of the bilge & provide support for the length of the hull in addition to the keel itself. The pieces that run from side to side perpendicular to the length of the boat are called frames. Chines are the 2 edges where the angled bottom of the boat meets the vertical sides (gunnels). The raised ridges between the chines & the keel are called strakes.
Because the strakes protrude from the hull, they are more likely to be damaged by incorrectly loading the boat and having them hit the bunks or rollers. In addition to damaging the strakes themselves, you run the risk of focusing all the hulls weight on the tiny strakes which could lead to cracks in the hull from the weight.
Bottom line, don't rest the boat on the strakes or chines. Distribute the weight of the boat primarily along the transom & keel with the bunks extending into the smooth part of the hull between the strakes to also help distribute the load & balance the boat. Note that trailering with the weight of the boat sitting on the keel can also cause damage to the fiberglass for the same reasons resting the boat on the chines or strakes would - it focuses weight in one place which can cause cracking & damage to fiberglass.
FYI, here's some pics:
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/anglerboater/1999/julaug99/boathull.htm
