Keel guards REALLY necessary?

[strokeoluck]

Yesterday we were out on Lake Waconia in the southwestern Twin Cities area. There's an area along the east side of the lake that is sand/beach for maybe 200 yards. There are lots of boats pulled up and people hanging out - a very relaxing spot. This was our first full day on this lake so we carefully pull up to an open spot. I notice that the bottom is fairly sandy compared to other somewhat rocky lakes we'd visited. But I was still shocked to see how many boats had their bows pulled right up into the sand!

Of the 40 or so boats at the beach, maybe 10 were aluminum fishing boats or pontoon boats. As I understand it there's not much for them to be concerned about. But of the 30 remaining fiberglass boats, 27 of them were "beached". Mine was one of only three that were anchored in a few feet of water (I counted!). Maybe I read wrong on this forum, but I thought it was a big no-no to park your boat onto the beach. There weren't many large rocks laying around (though I did pick a few out of the water that were stuck in the sand a few feet into the water, about the size of my fist), but the sand wasn't exactly the super-fine sand you find on Caribbean beaches.

Are these people doing damage to their boats...or am I creating way too much work for myself by dropping two anchors in such places?

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

I suppose the biggest factor is if you want to keep your boat nice and shiny and new like or if you boat is a beater or maybe you have a new boat and plenty of money and you plan to just use the boat like most folks treat an everyday driver car, use it up and throw it out.

As a person who has a car that I like to keep looking nice I would liken beaching a boat to parking a nice car you love next to 2 normal everyday driver cars whose owners just don't care about in a grocery store parking lot. Whapp! and there is a nice bit of damage on the beloved machine.
To each their own, that's the nice thing about owning stuff and living in America.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

3 out of 30 is about right.10% of people with expensive toys will take extra time and effort to keep them in good condition visually and mechanically.You can feel proud that you are in that 10%.Keep anchoring in a few feet of water and save the keelguard money for snowmobile gas.

Side Note:I am impressed.In the short time you have been on Iboats you have questioned,absorbed and put to use the sensible and logical guidelines/suggestions from other members.Your posts are well thought out and well written.I salute you.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

Side Note:I am impressed.In the short time you have been on Iboats you have questioned,absorbed and put to use the sensible and logical guidelines/suggestions from other members.Your posts are well thought out and well written.I salute you.

Ok, can you see me blushing?!?! That was very nice of you to say Bart, Sr. - thank you. When I "think back" (geez, wasn't that long ago) to when I started asking questions on here I'm amazed at how much I've learned about boating. None of that would be possible w/out so many good folks sharing their time and thoughts.

And you picked up on my snowmobile question I assume? Based on your location I would love to hear your thoughts if you're familiar w/snowmobiles. We were sitting around the fire tonight and sure enough my wife has warmed up to the idea of a snowmobile. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[mphy98]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

keel guards are great for Canadian rock fish at slow speeds, they prevent damage. that said i used a better (in my mind) solution, i had our bodyshop spray linx bedliner material along the keel. it is more durable and can be resprayed if need be. and can be color matched to your boat. this linx is flexible, not hard like most liners. try it, it really is a good alternative

 

[Nico2112]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

It depends on the situation.
Where I boat the beach is sandy combined with small rocks.
The marina where I launch has no proper dock, just a small wooden one right on the beach. No buoys or where to "park" your boat. Boats are beached until you use them.

My boat is new (been out only 7 times), and I just installed a Keel Guard yesterday; it was hard to beleive the amount of damage it has suffered in so little time.

I invested $160, and TO ME it was well worth it

NOTE: Where I used to boat before, I didn't need one, since you never had to beach your boat

So again, I think it depends on your individual situation.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

strokeofluck I'd recommend using the anchors as much as possible as Bart stated. It's good practice for anchoring when you really need it and wading thru a few feet of water isn't a big deal at all if you ask me.

Plus boats look sweeter when moored than beached like a whale. They like to float as much as outboards like to run wide open.

Glad you appreciate these forums, I know I sure do and you folks in MN have my respect as far as boating and fishing goes, I'd like to get up there for walleyes and pike...not to mention canoeing the boundary waters

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

I think that while you want to avoid unnecessary damage, and certainly cosmetic damage top-side, what difference does a scratch on the keel, the underwater part, matter? Who sees it in the water (no one) or on the trailer (who cares?) Would you wax the inside of your bilge? Relax and enjoy your boat. It's a Bayliner, not a 1956 mahogany Chris Craft.

Different, of course, if you frequently pull up to rocky shores that could do damage. Linex sounds like the solution there.

Worry instead about a grape-fruit sized rock a few inches below surface, beating the flat part of the hull from wave action. Another reason to float it. Consider the elastic anchor lines; if I beached a lot I'd get one (and they are a lot cheaper than a keel guard).

 

[H8tank]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

My boat is pretty nice, but I am not afraid of sand.

I'll anchor out when on a rocky shore, but if it is sand with deep water access? I'm on it.

I won't get close in shallow simply cause I don't want to suck up any crap in my seawater pump.

 

[repeattutu]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

3 out of 30 is about right.10% of people with expensive toys will take extra time and effort to keep them in good condition visually and mechanically.You can feel proud that you are in that 10%.Keep anchoring in a few feet of water and save the keelguard money for snowmobile gas.

Side Note:I am impressed.In the short time you have been on Iboats you have questioned,absorbed and put to use the sensible and logical guidelines/suggestions from other members.Your posts are well thought out and well written.I salute you.

SIR,
Thank you and all of our Armed Forces GOD BLESS YOU

 

[riptide09]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

I have a Keel Guard on my boat. I installed it last year. I fixed a few dents in my keel from the previous owner and installed it over the top of the repairs. I have never regretted the decision. There are not a lot of times I beach my boat but every now and then when I do sometimes I want to minimize wading through the water.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

I boat in fresh water only. The "beaches" I frequent are varied. If the shoreline has no rocks, no current or waves, is "soft" and has sufficient depth at the transom so my outdrive doesn't hit the bottom, I pull her right up on the beach. Otherwise I anchor at an appropriate distance. When I say "soft" I mean sandy or muddy.

I have been doing that for the 45+ years I have owned a boat, and my stable has consisted of wood, aluminum and fiberglass boats.

My current family boat is 27 years old. There is a roughly a 4' section of the forward keel that is "scratched", i.e. dull from rubbing on the sand beach. You can't see it unless you crawl under the boat when its on the trailer. It's not thru the gelcoat.

I personally see no problems. I would never put a keelguard on because I would be afraid it might fall off at an inopportune time. Even if it didn't pose problems, I don't see the need. If I go to a beach that may be hazardous, I don't beach anyway.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Keel guards REALLY necessary?

Three year old post dragged up from the archives......... closed