CONTINUOUSWAVE

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

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

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?

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

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?

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.

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.

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

Dogs preferred it too.

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