Outrage 18 Keel Guard

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
Don SSDD
Posts: 313
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:58 am
Location: Nova Scotia

Outrage 18 Keel Guard

Postby Don SSDD » Wed Jun 26, 2019 11:04 am

My [1986 OUTRAGE 18] boat does not have [a keel guard]. I'd like to install [a keel guard] because I [run the boat ashore] on beaches.

[The OUTRAGE 18] keel is worn through the gelcoat. I plan to use West System epoxy with [Cabosil filler] added to cover the fiberglass. Then install a keel guard for the keel.

Give me a recommendation [(apparently) for a suitable product to use for a keel guard].

I was told my former boat, a Guardian, had [a keel guard made from] kevlar [as delivered] from the factory

There is also the name brand "KeelGuard.”

Thanks,
Don
1986 Outrage 18 with 2001 Honda 130 HP
Former Owner 1991 Guardian 19 with 1994 Evinrude V4 140HP
Former owner 1987 Montauk with 1998 Mercury 90HP
Nova Scotia

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Phil T
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Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:08 pm
Location: Was Maine. Temporarily Kentucky

Re: Guard for Keel- Classic Outrage 18 1986

Postby Phil T » Wed Jun 26, 2019 11:18 am

Some Guardians had a stainless cutwater.

Keel Guard is a product name - https://keelguard.com/megaware-keelguard/

You will want to cover the exposed fiberglass on the keel. Keep in mind you want it finished smooth (not easy) so the keel guard will adhere. Consider using Marine Tex and then lay Saran Wrap after application to get a smooth finish.

When applying the Keel Guard, burnish the ^$%#( out of it to ensure adhesion and bevel the aft end.

This is one of those items were preparation and application takes much longer than one thinks.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

flymo
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 2:58 pm

Re: Guard for Keel- Classic Outrage 18 1986

Postby flymo » Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:51 pm

Don, the Keelguard is a nice product and it sounds perfect for your situation. One of the colors is a perfect match for Desert Tan. I forget which one though!

You should fill any damaged areas, but if you can keep the repairs to a narrow line right along the keel, you can cover them with the Keelguard and not have to worry about making the repairs look perfect.

West epoxy would work fine, and Cab-o-sil is one of several fillers that would be good, although my personal preference is glass micro balloons as they don't absorb moisture. However, given that your Whaler was made with polyester resin and that polyester is much easier to work with, you may prefer to go that route.

Don SSDD
Posts: 313
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:58 am
Location: Nova Scotia

Re: Guard for Keel- Classic Outrage 18 1986

Postby Don SSDD » Wed Jun 26, 2019 9:08 pm

Thanks for the advice.
1986 Outrage 18 with 2001 Honda 130 HP
Former Owner 1991 Guardian 19 with 1994 Evinrude V4 140HP
Former owner 1987 Montauk with 1998 Mercury 90HP
Nova Scotia

R DAVIS
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:33 am

Re: Guard for Keel- Classic Outrage 18 1986

Postby R DAVIS » Thu Jun 27, 2019 12:46 pm

The very best is the Hambys Beaching Bumper (original).
Have this professionally installed and it will last forever. Costs a bit more than the others but much better than the rest You will never regret it.

http://www.hambys.com

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Outrage 18 Keel Guard

Postby jimh » Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:39 pm

I don’t think Kevlar fiber is a choice material for an application to resist abrasion as would be the situation protecting a boat keel. Kevlar is very strong fiber, but not especially good when subject to abrasion. Kevlar is woven into fabrics.

For a keel guard an ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) plastic sheet would be more suitable as an abrasion shield for a boat keel. See

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-h ... lyethylene


Who told you the GUARDIAN boats had Kevlar fabric keel guards?

Acseatsri
Posts: 190
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2015 8:46 am

Re: Outrage 18 Keel Guard

Postby Acseatsri » Thu Jun 27, 2019 7:02 pm

If you don't have to re-apply gel coat over the patch, epoxy provides a stronger bond than polyester resin and is more forgiving to work with than the polyester.
The other alternative would be to add a couple layers of 1708 biaxial fiberglass. 3 layers would add over 1/8" of protection. Cut the first layer 8" wide, 2nd 5-6" wide, 3rd (top) layer would be 2-3" wide, then fair smooth. I did this to a 17' Montauk 2 months ago that had loads of rash on the keel from being washed up on the rocks. Came out really nice and will outlast the boat's 2nd lifetime.

Don SSDD
Posts: 313
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:58 am
Location: Nova Scotia

Re: Outrage 18 Keel Guard

Postby Don SSDD » Fri Jun 28, 2019 6:44 am

Jim, the 1991 Guardian 19 I had I bought from a retired BW dealer, I think he said it had Kevlar. He sold many Guardians to RCMP and Coast Guard and my boat had a red gel coat beneath a paint job. I'll try posting some pics, it was a very solid fibre material and fairly thick and ran bow to stern. This is what it looked like when I brought it home, you can see the red on the stern shot.

Image
Image
1986 Outrage 18 with 2001 Honda 130 HP
Former Owner 1991 Guardian 19 with 1994 Evinrude V4 140HP
Former owner 1987 Montauk with 1998 Mercury 90HP
Nova Scotia