Keel Protection

[two stroke mick]

Hello all and happy christmas

I am looking for a keel protector for my rib. There is a type advertised at the back of rib int. Frm memoary it costs 129 pounds Stg. I think it is a stick on type. Your thoughs please



TSM

How many of you actually use one?

[AVONMON]

Hi,the price quoted was the price I was given for a 2 metre length.My enquiries were for a short length to repair the one fitted to my r.i.b which had been damaged by a seized roller on the trailer by the previous owner. This I was actualy able to fix using Sikaflex marine adhesive.The rubber protector will take out alot of potential small impact damage and protect the glass fibre.A Stainless steel or equivalent will not protect the glass fibre below by absorbing small impacts but protect by spreading the load.Rgd's

[biffer]

it is easy to damage the glue on rubber guard, if your boat is of a well known make see if the maker will lay you up just the keel section and sikaflex that on, thats what we do with our boats

[CJL]

Buy one and fix it down 3/4 of the length of the hull.

Make sure you leave the planning pad clear at the back of the hull though.

No more cringing when you nose into a beach, no more stressing recovering on to the trailer.

Very very good idea and well worth it.

Chris

[behavin]

Make sure you leave the planning pad clear at the back of the hull though.

why?

i've got a full length rubber keel guard and imo the bit you really want to protect is the deepest section at the stern.
my rib does go around and dry out on the moorings and the full length has saved a lot of scrapes under neath.

[CJL]

Originally Posted by behavin

why?

i've got a full length rubber keel guard and imo the bit you really want to protect is the deepest section at the stern.
my rib does go around and dry out on the moorings and the full length has saved a lot of scrapes under neath.

It will affect the handling of the boat if you go all the way back.

Chris

[walruz]

Chris.

Some good advice there, BUT, for my info, as my boat grounds on almost every tide and spends upwards of 8 months on the mooring. Having the full length keel the SR does is this still an issue or could I fit a full length keel guard?

I'm not trying to be a smart ass but genuinely want to make an informed decision as I have quite a lot of small gell coat touch up areas to deal with just now (haven't done any for a couple of years to be honest tho')

Many thanks

Ian

[CJL]

Originally Posted by walruz

Chris.

Some good advice there, BUT, for my info, as my boat grounds on almost every tide and spends upwards of 8 months on the mooring. Having the full length keel the SR does is this still an issue or could I fit a full length keel guard?

I'm not trying to be a smart ass but genuinely want to make an informed decision as I have quite a lot of small gell coat touch up areas to deal with just now (haven't done any for a couple of years to be honest tho')

Many thanks

Ian

Hmmm ....... I was advised not to go all they way back for the reasons stated.

Perhaps there maybe some room to go all the way back if you stuck it on, very precisely along the centreline to give it a try. If your hull does not flare out to form a significant planning pad I would think that you'd get away with it.

Have you considered asking Avon for advice?? They might have fitted them to other boats before.

Chris

[ribfan]

I too am looking at installing a keel guard on my boat. The Ribcraft USA boys suggested 6 or 7 ft. That is ok for me as I am mainly interested in protecting to bow area if I beach or if the boat gets blown off course while loading on my trailer. Here, there are two main manufactors for the do it yourself market, Keelshield and Keelguard. KS is urethane, KG is PVC composite. Anyone have experience or a preference for one or the other?

Bill

www.eclecticwonders.com uncommon art

[walruz]

Cheers Chris.

I probably will consult Avon but I'm not in any rush either.

Ian

[learning to fly]

Rib fan, ive used the keelguard on my searider. I was stupid and did not apply it when it ws upside down but did it while it was on the trailer. I love the stuff but had a couple of problems. You have to prep the hull very good which I did. They give you a bottle of some sort of primer but the applicater isnt the best. I was halfway through useing it and it litterally fell apart in my hand. I had to improvise and when finally done I applied the keel. It was tough to fit to my boat towards the back because my SR had some hard chines that I didnt completely fit to. Ive had it start to come off in a few spots but have made some repairs with some 5200 and used pieces of wood to hold tightly where needed. I know if I got another chance I could do better. I found out later that haveing a hairdryer can be used to make it very pliable before fitting. That is the trick,. I had it out in the sunm and thought it would be fine. I think the hairdryer weould have helped. All that said, even with the extra work Ive put in in repairs it is far exceeded by the good points. I love just pulling up on sand or even rocks. Great on cement boat ramps. I found it online for just over $100 more. I have never felt I lost any performance either. Highly recemended