Keel Guard Question

[harringtondav]

I'm prepping to buy a keel guard for my new boat. Most I see are installed starting high on the bow close to the eye.
I'm installing one due to sand and gravel stress on the keel from beaching. On my previous boat this damage started lower, at the intersection of the bow and straight keel and ended a couple feet farther back toward the transom. So a four foot length would seem to be long enough.
Recommended length is 6-7' for my 19'9" Regal 1900ES. But I'm inclined to use a shorter length. Partially to save a few bucks, but more to minimize the drag when planing.
I'm wondering if the forward end must be installed above the waterline to prevent peeling back from the water force getting under the leading edge adhesive (?).
....or will it be OK to start the guard farther back under the water line?

 

[Stinnett21]

I installed mine per directions 11 years ago and is still solid to the hull. I recommend using the recommended length because you never know what conditions you may encounter. This is not a job you want to do twice. I believe my leading edge is under water when idling with a loaded bow. It's never been an issue...knock on wood. You can see mine on the pic if you zoom.

 

[harringtondav]

Yea. I Googled the instructions after I posted.
....6-9" above the water line. I will comply.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Yes above the waterline

I ran mine up to the scuff shield they provide for around the bow eye

I ran an 8 foot on my 19 footer so I could beach it

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

My new (to me) 07 crownline already has wear through the gelcoat from a lot of beaching. Not sure if it's worth adding something like this at this point or not.

We've only had the boat for 6 weeks, been out quite a but but haven't beached it yet.

 

[JASinIL2006]

The longer, the better. Mine extends up well past the waterline, too.

 

[JASinIL2006]

My new (to me) 07 crownline already has wear through the gelcoat from a lot of beaching. Not sure if it's worth adding something like this at this point or not.

We've only had the boat for 6 weeks, been out quite a but but haven't beached it yet.

Absolutely it will help. If you want, you can buy a small can of gelcoat and cover the exposed fiberglass before applying the keel guard.

 

[harringtondav]

The more I think on your answers, I figure higher is better.
I've bumped docks with my bow more than a few times when offloading passengers on the fly. (the 'Reverse!' command came a bit late).
A high keel guard will help protect the gel up there.

 

[H20Rat]

Partially to save a few bucks, but more to minimize the drag when planing.

Although there probably is negligible performance differences, in theory a keel guard could actually reduce drag overall. Very likely it is putting quite a bit of air under the hull while running which reduces drag.