a fin might be pulled off better then a full keel. I say that because I've grounded both styles and getting the fin off was, in fact, easier. When I grounded out Brendon in the Sacramento River I was on the proper side of the buoy. I slid so far up onto that sand bar that I had to put two kedge anchors out and use full RPM's to slide back and the bottom never touched the rudder. The slope angle of the sandbar was such that I just slid right up like the bottom was greased. I'm sure a fin would have done exactly the same thing and been just fine. But then I've also hove to for hours on end in some pretty ugly conditions and I'll bet a fin couldn't come close to the comfort level I experienced in those situations. I suppose everything is a trade off as she's a
6.5 knot boat. She's not what you would call a speedy boat but we've covered a few miles together and as far as I'm concerned, she's a keeper.