KeelGuard

[Lazy Flamingo]

What is your experience or opinion about adding a "KeelGuard" to the boat?
Is it a worthwhile investment, or just another gimick ?

[Go Aweigh2452]

Anything that protects the bottom of the boat when grounding it on the beach is good. I believe keelguard is made out of pvc and other products out there (hambys and keelshield) are made out of polyurethane. As long as its applied right, should last for years. Up here inthe Great NW, most boaters would not think of adding it to their boats due to no one would intentionally ground a boat here. 1. lots of big as$ rocks, 2. tides swing 10-15 feet...

[Lazy Flamingo]

BoatersWorld sells them here .... 5' - 6' - 7' - 8' @ $119 / $129 / $149 / $159
Material: anti-abrasive polymers and 3M pressure sensative adhesive ....
KeelGuard claims lifetime warranty against abrasion and adhesion failure.

We don't really plan on beaching the boat, but it was recommended to have
because it also protects from scrapes and scratches on boat ramps, especially
concrete ones.

I don't mind getting something if it is practical, but I want to be sure that it
would be something worth getting, because $$$ add up for extra's .... 8)

[Pegasis]

I have a keelguard on my 3.11M RIB. Works great to keep the keel from getting scracthed up when beaching the boat.

If you're launching and retrieving from a boat ramp I wouldn't think you would ever get your boat close enough to the concrete to worry about the need for a keelguard or other similar product.

The keelguard is a rubber type material with double stick tape on the back. Not to be installed anywhere there is constant pressure like where the keel roller touches the hull of the boat then it's in the trailering position. Going over a keel roller isn't supposed to cause any problems, just constant pressure. The problem is delamination.

[heymagic]

No personal experience but have read several magazine reviews that were positve. Gene

[Lazy Flamingo]

Thanks for the input on the "KeelGuard", it is appreciated, and
has been added to my list of goodies to get .... :D

[Lazy Flamingo]

Went to BoatersWorld yesterday and pick up a few things including the
KeelGuard. They had a bunch of the KeelGuards on a "Sale" table, so I
made out very good.

I don't know if it is a National Sale, but I got the 7' one for $95.00, and
it also included their $20.00 ScuffBuster BowGuard .... retail is $169.00
for both items .... :D

Thanks for all the advice & opinions that was given about it ....