keelguard...........good or bad?

xpertski · 05 June 2006, 20:40

hello all.....

would just like opinions on keelquards, its the strip of blue (how it looks in catalogue picture) material which runs along the keel of your boat, its also £125 per 6ft

is it worthwhile? any adverse effects, eg speed..... i am told it is a permanent job once done. also how do you work it on a stepped hull, eg, humber ocean pro 6.3m. and one more thing, is it worth getting enough to go to the keel of the boat? the reason for considering it is because it would take the worry from any beaching, and also when bringing the boat back onto the trailer with a cross current or any other current which could cause the keel to clash with pasrts of the trailer other than the intended rollers...........thanks for any comments in advance

Biggles · 05 June 2006, 21:03

I haven't got Keelguard but certainly would consider it if I had a nice shiny boat.
I don't think its the answer to what you foresee your problems to be though. From my experience trailers can cause all sorts of marks and little scratches on hulls and not just along the centre line although that area is going to receive the most punishment.
The cost of doing a 6 meter boat is about £400. Not too bad I suppose for some peace of mind.

Tideway · 05 June 2006, 21:19

Used to have a keelguard (brass I think) on the hull of a dory we used to regularly beach. It prevented some chips and dings, but really if you are beaching boats then some scratches and cosmetic damage are inevitable...

Problem that we had was sometimes we didn't know what the beach was like, so if there were any rocks, obstructions then the keel band was ok, but the spray rails/cathedral hull took a kicking.

Depends on your application, but if the trailer is set up right then you shouldn't damage your boat.

cheers,

t

BogMonster · 05 June 2006, 21:22

I have been wondering about some sort of keel protection, had mine nosed in to a fairly coarse gravel beach on the weekend and was worried about damage to the gel coat, it looks OK now I have it out of the water again but I don't know how sensitive gel coat is to beaching? is it only going to get damaged if you hit a sharp pointy rock or would it be an idea to protect it for any sort of beaching?

Erin · 05 June 2006, 21:53

I've got a keelguard on mine and I'm pretty sure it's saved a few dents. It's a really tough rubberyplastic and has had a few dinks in it. Mind you, I dry out every tide so it's a bit more of a neccesity. I've no idea if it affects speed, but if it does it must only be minimal.

The Jackeens · 05 June 2006, 23:15

We had a keelguard on Zebedee and it just made it fun & easy to beach.

Us

Nick Hearne · 06 June 2006, 14:35

have a look at this http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....ight=keelguard
Went over the same thing & ended with 12' from the makers in the USA £150 delivered!
Well worth it as I'm always beaching the boat to let family on & off, easy to fit, sticks like s**t to a blanket & dose the job!
Speed you may loose a knot or two!
Nick

stingraymax · 06 June 2006, 19:11

I was going to order this for my rib too untill I asked about the small print

"Note: If Your trailer is designed such that the entire weight of the boat rests on rollers or a support beam along the keel, we do not recommend installing the KeelGuard. If the rollers can be lowered or the side bunks raised to clear the rollers, the KeelGuard adhesive bond will not be compromised. May not be suitable for some aluminum boats with reinforced rib design. Please contact MegaWare KeelGuard for your particular application."

They told me not to install this if I trailerd it alot.

....

Limey Linda · 06 June 2006, 20:24

These are very polular for boats used on large lakes for beaching etc. Not having the weight of the boat resting on the keel guard makes sense to me.

Nick Hearne · 07 June 2006, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingraymax

I was going to order this for my rib too untill I asked about the small print

"Note: If Your trailer is designed such that the entire weight of the boat rests on rollers or a support beam along the keel, we do not recommend installing the KeelGuard. If the rollers can be lowered or the side bunks raised to clear the rollers, the KeelGuard adhesive bond will not be compromised. May not be suitable for some aluminum boats with reinforced rib design. Please contact MegaWare KeelGuard for your particular application."

They told me not to install this if I trailerd it alot.

....

As you can see from the photo my boat rests on a roller but I have had no problems after 2 years & it lives on the trailer!
Nick

CJL · 07 June 2006, 16:14

Personally I can't sing their praises load enough. A very good sensible investment for any boat.

Chris

Liverbird · 08 June 2006, 01:34

Yes i got a keelguard and would highly recommend it.Make sure you follow all the fitting instructions clearly.

xpertski · 08 June 2006, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liverbird

Yes i got a keelguard and would highly recommend it.Make sure you follow all the fitting instructions clearly.

hello all....thankyou very much for your replies, we have decided to go for the keelguard, and although it seems overpriced, it will get the job done,. as the keel, especially the front part seems to take the greatest damage (not much so far, just a slight knock) but for peace of mind it seems a worth while investment, we have gone for a 6ft length to cover just below the u-bolt to 6ft along the front secton of the keel.....is this enough?

BogMonster · 08 June 2006, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by xpertski

hello all....thankyou very much for your replies, we have decided to go for the keelguard, and although it seems overpriced, it will get the job done,. as the keel, especially the front part seems to take the greatest damage (not much so far, just a slight knock) but for peace of mind it seems a worth while investment, we have gone for a 6ft length to cover just below the u-bolt to 6ft along the front secton of the keel.....is this enough?

That's the bit on mine that needs protecting, judging by the scuffs and bumps on it. I suppose because it is the bit nearest the accident

Nick Hearne · 08 June 2006, 19:17

I went for 12' but 6' is what they recomend if I remember right!
No regrets for going for 12' as it gives me a lot more protection

& have you seen me drive the thing

xpertski · 08 June 2006, 23:22

haha, very good, yeah i think 6ft should be ok, but i assume if id ecide later on, i can always add another 6ft to the end

Nasher · 08 June 2006, 23:43

Go for 6 and tell the girls its a 12.

Nasher

xpertski · 09 June 2006, 00:11

hahaha, will do, wont know the difference

Mouldy · 09 June 2006, 10:00

Perhaps six foot only is a good idea - it won't interfere with planing.

xpertski · 09 June 2006, 13:34

thats partially what i was thinking, that 6ft would not spend allot of the time in the water when planing so shudnt effect anything at all, and so no reduction in speed, no matter how small it may or may not have been!