Lifting keel

A lifting keel is a retractable or adjustable keel that can be raised and lowered to reduce a vessel's draft. Charter guests encounter this feature on yachts designed for shallow-water cruising and beach landings, particularly in Mediterranean regions and tropical destinations with sandbars. Raising a lifting keel allows access to anchorages and beaches otherwise unreachable by deep-draft vessels, though it reduces stability in strong winds and increases leeway. Charter briefs typically cover the keel's operation and depth limitations.