Appreciation for the C-Brats

C

Chuck B

New member
After several years of planning, I have sold the sailboat that has been my home since 1987, and am excitedly awaiting the arrival of my new 22 Cruiser next week. First of all, I want to express my appreciation to all of you who have helped to make the C-Brats site an incredible information resource. I hope those of you who are old hands here understand just how helpful the accumulated information is to a prospective owner. So, thanks.

By the way, my new boat will be powered by an Evinrude Etec 90. Like many of you, I am very interested to hear the review of this motor from Sawdust. However, for what it's worth (from a sailor for whom 7 knots is breakneck speed), I will be sure and post a report when I think it is credible.

Finally, I do have a question, which I have not seen addressed in any of the forum topics. From the photos, it appears that quite a few C-Dory's have Keel Shields installed--partcularly those rigged by Les Lampman. I am curious as to people's rationale for this, as well as their experiences with the product. Is there a feeling that the factory stem guard is inadequate protection? Is the Keel Shield installed over the existing stem guard?

Through this forum, I feel like I already know many of you, but I hope to meet you in the future.

Chuck Bennett
 
Hi Chuck, congratulations on your new C-Dory. I had the Keel Guard on my 22 and also will have one on my 25. The reason I had Les put it on is the type of boating I do. I live in the San Juans and launch at a private concrete ramp on a gravel beach area with no dock. These boats have such a shallow draft that you can literally run them right onto the beach. Sand and gravel don't get along well with fiberglass and the added protection is what I want. I found out that such a thing existed while I had the boat in to Les for electronic installation so just had him put in on.

Yes ,you just glue the Keel Guard right over the brass guard that the factory has inlaid into the keel. The brass guard is only about 1/4 in wide at best I think. The Keel Guard is about 1 1/2 " on each side of the keel and runs from just under the bow eye down about 6 feet back It comes in a bunch of colors. For $150-$175, in my case, it is and will be, well worth it.
 
Worth every penny IMO. That rascal is super tough and loves clam shells. Do it! Not only that, but in the long-long-ago time, C-Dory had a long driller :lol: who went on through the screw holes in the brass and let water in the bow... a no-no for some. The guard eliminates that possibility, which probably won't happen again.

Dusty
 
Thanks to everyone for the quick response! I am glad to hear the positive feedback on the Keel Shield, and have added it to my growing project list for the new boat. Sawdust, I recall reading some posts several years ago on the old C-Dog site which mentioned the problem with the factory stem guard fasteners leaking. That was in the back of my mind when considering the Keel Shield. I was thinking it would be a bear to get the thing off if any of the fasteners underneath needed attention, but it sounds like the Keel Shield does not leave any gaps for water to get underneath. Is that right?

Chuck Bennett
 
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