Keel Guard on a 1995 15-footer

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
cjd
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 7:02 am

Keel Guard on a 1995 15-footer

Postby cjd » Sun Mar 31, 2019 4:46 pm

Has a keel guard been installed on a c.1995 15-foot Boston Whaler boat from the bow eye down the stem to the keel?

I am concerned with the chine transition at the waterline. I would really like to run the keel guard to the eye, but I have read info that says the keel guard delaminates on chines.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks
chris

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

Re: Keel Guard on a 15

Postby porthole » Mon Apr 01, 2019 12:02 am

I installed a keel guard on my 15-footer without problems.

Sport_15_CC_Whaler_04 copy.jpg
Fig. 1. Bow stem of 15-foot Boston Whaler with a Keel Guard installed.
Sport_15_CC_Whaler_04 copy.jpg (219.36 KiB) Viewed 8314 times
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

cjd
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 7:02 am

Re: Keel Guard on a 1995 15

Postby cjd » Wed Apr 03, 2019 2:40 pm

Thanks, but your 15-footer does not look like my 15-footer.

How did you work around the bow eye?

Did you cut a hole in the guard?

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

Re: Keel Guard on a 1995 15

Postby porthole » Wed Apr 03, 2019 2:51 pm

The boat pictured is a 15-footer from 1983 or 1984. I cut a hole.
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

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Keel Guard on a 1995 15-footer

Postby jimh » Wed Apr 03, 2019 3:58 pm

cjd wrote:Has a keel guard been installed on a c.1995 15-foot Boston Whaler boat from the bow eye down the stem to the keel?


If the keel guard only goes as high as the bow eye, why do you have to make a hole in the key guard for the bow eye. I realize that the pictured boat (not your boat) extends the keel guard above the bow eye.

What do you anticipate the bow stem above the bow eye is likely to experience abrasion against that will necessitate protecting it with a keel guard or more appropriately, a stem guard?

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

Re: Keel Guard on a 1995 15-footer

Postby porthole » Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:05 am

I don't know about the OP, but I used to run my boat up against the dock and keep it in gear.
The area above the bow eye would set against the dock lip and the bow eye would jam up underneath.
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

jimh
Posts: 11670
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Keel Guard on a 1995 15-footer

Postby jimh » Fri Apr 05, 2019 10:01 am

Duane--thanks for explaining the need for the keel guard on the stem: to act as fendering.

I try to avoid using the bow stem as a point of contact against an immovable object except when the boat is on the trailer (and the stem rests in the bow stop rollers), but I can see how the need could arise while in the water.

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

Re: Keel Guard on a 1995 15-footer

Postby porthole » Sun Apr 07, 2019 2:30 am

Jim, I should have added, it made for a stable boarding of an unstable spouse :-)

Dogs preferred it too.
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

cjd
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 7:02 am

Re: Keel Guard on a 1995 15-footer

Postby cjd » Tue Jun 04, 2019 10:08 am

Follow-up: The Keel Guard has been on for a month and seems to be holding up well. We tend to raft up off of a sand beach with our Sea Hunt, and having the kids come and go in the Boston Whaler boat by simply sliding it up on the beach is a real joy. Maybe when life slows down a little (and if we survive the next 10 years of college tuition) I will restore a boat to pristine condition, but right now the GLS with the big ugly red guard is perfect.

Thanks again for the help