keel guard ?

J

Jake B

New member
so we rarely beach the boat but during shrimp season we beach launch and last weekend beached between pulls. once back on the trailer I noticed the bottom pain has rubbed off the front of the brass bow guard and about 3/4" on each side. granted the bottom paint is older and will be redone this winter. I read the older post about keel guards and some were for them others thought it was too sharpe of a point and may not adhere well. I am thinking of giving it a try and was curious as to what prep the boat needs to get the best bond. I plan to run it around the bow eye to end of current brass strip.

and is there a company that makes one better than the next? I have never had one before.

thanks for any info
 
Hi,

We have had keel guard on our 2006 22 C-Dory since new (put on by Les Lampman), and we beach all of the time. It is still in place protecting that part of the hull from rocks, barnacles and other "land based" enemies of boating. We also had keel guard on our Boston Whaler for many years of the same kind of beachings, and sold it with the keel guard intact. I applied it to the Whaler myself and it was not difficult, but there is a caustic solvent/primer used on the fiberglas.

I love it for the protection it gives.
 
If you have bottom paint it will have to be removed in the way of the Keel Guard. Then the smooth sanded glass prepared as it is for non painted gel coated areas.
 
After a few reports of pulled screws and water INSIDE the boat, I removed the brass guard and filled in the holes w/ epoxy. I then put a Keel-Guard over it. It has adhered thus far. Follow the directions; as with everything else, prep will determine the quality of the install. I bought a 6' one IIRC and I should have mounted it about 2-3" higher.
 
should not be an issue removing bottom paint and then a little prep.

has anyone ever used the roll on bed liner for a keel guard I was reading over on the hull truth some were trying it out and seemed to be working fairly well. cheaper and able to fan out the edge? may be worth looking into also?
 
I've seen the bed liner advertised by bed liner companies. Don't see any reason it would not work. I have it in the truck and it sure takes a beating.
 
For sand, gravel the bed liner would probably do well. If you are pulling up on barnacles or sharp objects, there could be more damage to the bed liner.
 
Bringing back the newest old thread on Keel Guard.

I am looking at adding a Keel Guard, finally, onto my 22. I found several threads but the most related is one for a Keel Guard strip on a 19. That thread is here:
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... keel+guard


I am in the process of deciding whether to remove and loose the Brass Stem Strip, or just pull the screws, fill the holes and replace the brass strip and put the Keel Guard on the stem, over where the brass strip was.

Curious for those who have a Keel Guard on, which way you went and why? I went back through all the KG threads, so now I'm looking for the updates on whether what you did worked. Would you do it again the same way or what would you do different.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

IMGP6704.thumb.jpg
 
Harvey, We had no issues with our brass guard leaking so I just put the keelguard product directly over it about 2.5 years ago and no problems since. We do some gentle shore landings a few times per year at least and the product has done great for us. Follow the prep steps and its a quick job.

Greg
 
Harvey, I pulled ours out, filled the holes and installed a white one. I have not regretted it. My only wish is this; either bought one 1' shorter or installed it up a tad higher, nearer the bow eye. The 6' one I bought was too long, ran into the keel and would not stay adhered there, due to the complex curves involved. I simply cut it shorter, but the residual 3M adhesive remains. Not a big deal and it's wearing out/off, but...

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php
 
Thanks for those replies. Glad to hear it is working out well. I am thinking I will run the "Keel Guard" all the way up to the rub rail, hull to deck joint, with a cutout to go over the bow eye.

I have not had any issues with the screws leaking or loose so will probably leave the brass strip on, thinking it will provide a nicer curve to the bow, and apply the KG right over it.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.highlight.jpg
 
From what I have read, if the Keel Guard comes loose, it appears it is separating from the adhesive layer, not the adhesive from the hull. any thoughts on taking the adhesive off and using 4200 or something else to start with?

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

0_CD_Cover_SlpyC_with_Classics_MBSP_2009_288.thumb.jpg
 
It seems like many folks have years of adhesion with the original adhesive. I would plan to simply do the prep required in the instructions (cleaning/sanding) and count on it working out.

Ours is rock solid and if the adhesive ever separates, I would likely buy a new one before messing with the quantity of adhesive it would take to make it work plus deal with trying to keep pressure on it while it dried. That would be hard in my opinion.

Greg
 
Just got my Keep Guard. Look good in the package. I went through the instructions, and now I need 65 degrees :lol:

Also, looking at the instructions and supplies, the 2 tiny vials of adhesive prep seems really inadequate for a full 9 feet of surface preparation. That will be 540 square inches of surface for about 8-10 cc of fluid. The Keel Guard folks assured me that is plenty of "prep solution".

Does that sound like what worked for you.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.highlight.jpg
 
It is a small amount but it was enough for my install, barely. I marked off the area with blue tape and sanded it with a DA sander, wiped with wax/grease remover followed by the prep and I followed the instructions.
 
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