keel guards

[sadutil]

I recently just re-gel coated my 22 ft four winns cuddy cabin. I was wondering if it would be worth my money to buy a keel guard or shield and what length do you recommend? I notice that the keel support on my trailer ripped up my new pin striping when I recently just loaded it and I figured that a keel guard would prevent this from occuring anymore. What are your suggesions. thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: keel guards

if you do a lot of beaching, is the only way i can justify spending that much money for a piece of rubber.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: keel guards

Problem around here is that we have lakes and the US Corps of Engineers manages most of them. Few have anything more than a concrete ramp which can easily chew up gellcoat trying to get launched and loaded. No problem where, just one spot.

I'd use one in a heartbeat.....have a used alum boat now so I don't worry about it so much.......but I have had some beautiful glass boats that I would have loved to have had one for.....didn't make them then.

Mark

 

[shibby00]

Re: keel guards

I just searched iboats.com and they sell the Keelshield.
FYI .

 

[gwaidman]

Re: keel guards

Just installed a KeelGuard on my 19' Maxum. Went on really easy and so far worht the cash. I went out and beached her on a small pebble beach for the afternoon. Not a mark on it. I fear that would not be the case if it was not there. We beach quite a bit here in the Okanagan, so its great to have. Really a small cost compared to the cost of your boat.

 

[regjen]

Re: keel guards

Tashasdaddy, you will probably see my name a lot asking questions (as a new boater) being that I see your name a lot answering questions. I just recently bought and I noticed that the part of the hull that secures to the trailer is somewhat worn. Obviously a keel guard would cover this part but is this normal wear and tear? Thanks.

Reg

 

[regjen]

Re: keel guards

"If you do a lot of beaching" I understand what beaching is but why would one beach their boat? Is this merely a situation whereas it allows you to come ashore virtually anywhere? Bear with me, I'm a new boater trying to learn the lingo.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: keel guards

"If you do a lot of beaching" I understand what beaching is but why would one beach their boat? Is this merely a situation whereas it allows you to come ashore virtually anywhere? Bear with me, I'm a new boater trying to learn the lingo.

You got it. Basically pulling your boat a little bit onto shore somewhere as opposed to tying up to a dock.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: keel guards

Like I said in my reply. The lakes around here are black dirt so beaching your boat in a remote area to have a picnic is no problem for the hull.

The problem is trying to launch and load without getting wet, especially when boating alone, and especially in the winter time.

It's either the rip rap rocks (along both sides of the launch for erosion control) which the waves will pound you to pieces on, or driving up on the launching ramp to get out and that's made of concrete with horizontal score marks across it to give the tow vehicles better traction.

Both are murder on your fiberglass.

Mark

 

[catchbats]

Re: keel guards

I'm putting one on mine. Most of the damage on it, I believe, is from launching and loading it. I think it's cheap insurance to prevent more damage from happening. I found someone on Ebay selling them for under 100 bucks.

 

[shibby00]

Re: keel guards

Definite cheap insurance policy, especially for inexperienced or new boater. I put one on so my kids would not tear up my boat when they pulled up on the beach. Just follow directions closely I put my keelshield on in about an hour and a half.