Keel Guard

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
floater
Posts: 173
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 3:55 pm

Keel Guard

Postby floater » Sun Jan 03, 2016 7:13 am

Has anyone mounted [a keel guard] on their [boat's] keel? I'd like to get one for next season so I can beach my Revenge without damaging the hull. They look straightforward to mount, but I would like some input from someone who has done this. Thanks and Happy New Year

Ridge Runner
Posts: 199
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:12 pm
Location: Florham Park NJ / Punta Gorda FL

Re: Keel Guard

Postby Ridge Runner » Sun Jan 03, 2016 8:30 am

Make sure to clean the keel area well with acetone and let the keel guard get warm by laying it out in the sun; it needs to be pliable to work with. Best is to install it on a nice and warm sunny day.
Member since 2005
2005 170 Montauk, 2010 E-TEC 115 H.O.
2016 210 Montauk, 2017 E-TEC G2 200 H.O.

"Red sky at night, sailor’s delight - Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning”

Jefecinco
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:35 pm
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Re: Keel Guard

Postby Jefecinco » Sun Jan 03, 2016 10:31 am

I've read about an interesting alternative that may be worth looking into. Having an area along the keel sprayed with white Line-X should provide ample protection while avoiding the potential pitfalls associated with using a glued on product. Peeling off is experienced by some glue on product users. I believe the cause of peeling is usually poor surface preparation or interference between the guard and trailer around the curve of the bow. The disadvantage of the Line-X would be the permanence of the product. It would be very difficult to remove and the surface may have to be roughed up a bit before application. After a few years of using the Line-X it may require application of another coat. I have no idea of the cost.

I've seen it on only one boat but it certainly looked nice and was virtually invisible except on close inspection.
Butch

porthole
Posts: 645
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:57 pm
Location: LSD Lower Slower Delaware

Re: Keel Guard

Postby porthole » Sun Jan 03, 2016 11:31 am

I put one on my 15 CC when I redid the bottom. 10 years later when I sold the boat this past spring it was still doing good.
Thanks,
Duane
2016 World Cat 230DC
1999 Outrage 21, Yamaha SW Series II 200
1997 Outrage 18, Yamaha 125
1983 15 SS, Honda 50
1980 42 Post
1983 34 Luhrs 340 SF

Huckelberry145
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Dec 13, 2015 2:00 pm

Re: Keel Guard

Postby Huckelberry145 » Sun Jan 03, 2016 11:46 am

I have one that I am waiting for a warm day to install. We have two boat ramps in the Charleston area with no dock to aide in getting in the boat. The only way to access the ramp is to pull up on the concrete ramp grinding away gelcoat in the process.
After reading some old forums about the keelguard, the one thing that stands out the most is don't attach it where the strakes join the bow edge under the bow eye, go below that area. Also, follow the instructions to the letter.

porthole
Posts: 645
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:57 pm
Location: LSD Lower Slower Delaware

Re: Keel Guard

Postby porthole » Sun Jan 03, 2016 12:21 pm

Huckelberry145 wrote:the one thing that stands out the most is don't attach it where the strakes join the bow edge under the bow eye, go below that area. Also, follow the instructions to the letter.



Guess I missed that part when I did mine :-)
I wanted mine up as high as possible as I would frequently bump up against the dock and hold the boat there in gear.

Found some pics.

Added to the keel in 2004. Bottom paint had been stripped and IIRC I added the keel guard then applied 5 coats of Interlux barrier coat.

Image

These two pictures are from March 2015, 11 years later.

Image

Image
Thanks,
Duane
2016 World Cat 230DC
1999 Outrage 21, Yamaha SW Series II 200
1997 Outrage 18, Yamaha 125
1983 15 SS, Honda 50
1980 42 Post
1983 34 Luhrs 340 SF

ferdinando
Posts: 97
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 3:51 pm

Re: Keel Guard

Postby ferdinando » Sun Jan 03, 2016 1:40 pm

I have purchased 3 new Whalers since 1985, a 15, 17 and my last one a Montauk 190. I have installed a Keelguard on each of my boats and would not leave the dock without one! Key item is good preparation of the surface, leaving the strip out in the sun before install on the keel and having a second pair of hands to help you out.

Never had the strip come off of on any of my boats so far. To me at least it was worth the investment and peace of mind. One other important concern to keep in mind is to make sure that the strip does not permanently rest on any keel rollers, my 190 trailer has no problem with this, a perfect set-up. (Continued contact with rollers could mess up your Keelguard).

Fred

porthole
Posts: 645
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:57 pm
Location: LSD Lower Slower Delaware

Re: Keel Guard

Postby porthole » Sun Jan 03, 2016 1:44 pm

You can see in the picture I posted, mine sits on a keel roller with no problems. Granted it is only a 15' boat though.
Haven't decided yet if the 21 Outrage is going to get one, but if I do put one on, the odds are good it will also be on a roller. But with the 21 being significantly heavier I would probably adjust the front roller a bit.
Thanks,
Duane
2016 World Cat 230DC
1999 Outrage 21, Yamaha SW Series II 200
1997 Outrage 18, Yamaha 125
1983 15 SS, Honda 50
1980 42 Post
1983 34 Luhrs 340 SF

floater
Posts: 173
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 3:55 pm

Re: Keel Guard

Postby floater » Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:34 am

Great Tips and pics. I'm going to get one soon as I have enough gift cards now to purchase it outright. Not sure if I'm going to mount it right up to the bow eye though. This Revenge 20 WT is use for salmon fishing on Lake Ontario only. There are quite a few secluded beaches along the Bluffs I'd like to get into for a day out with the wife. Thanks guys