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Author Topic:   Keel Guard

bboeri posted 08-15-2000 06:52 PM ET (US)
Has anyone had experience with any type of keel guard? I have a 1988 Montauk that I use for fishing, cruising, exploring, skiing, and everything else. A great, versatile boat. Withall of the exploring involving beaching the boat, I am wondering if some type of keel guard would make sense. If anyone has experience with them and could point me in a direction, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
maverick posted 08-15-2000 08:00 PM ET (US)
I have an 85 Outrage 18, and 3 years ago I bought a "Megaware" glue-on keelguard, about $140, gray heavy duty rubberized plastic type material. Had excellent service out of it to date, and it sees some bottom, as I pull up on sand from time to time. The bottom keel had to be prepped first - very light sanding about an inch or so from center of keel, 7' long. Apply some magic liquid stuff (clear), peel off backing tape, and stick it on. That's it. About an hour. I don't have any bottom paint, though, and the bottom is smooth and shiny whaler white. I did have one slight problem about a year ago - the stickum at the very front started to come loose, so I put 2 tiny stainless screws with 100 clear silicone to hold it. No problems since. Funny thing is, 3 years ago I wrote and literally BEGGED Whaler Corp to sell me OR give me the name of the manufacturer that makes the "WHaler" stainless steel keelguard that comes on Guardian 18s. NO cooperation on either account. They would NOT sell me one, NOR would they provide me their source so I could buy one direct. That toprqued me off a bit. They added that my "non-Guardian" hull was suited for it. Blah blah. I would have taken my chances, no skin off their nose. I'd make one if I could, but it's a rather specially designed piece. Oh well. That's why they call me "Maverick". Signed, Chuck Weigle, Aiken, SC
frank posted 08-15-2000 09:32 PM ET (US)
i'm in the middle if repairing scratches to my keel so i can relate. i've got an 87 guardian 18 and would like to get the stainless one but the keel shield is more readily available . i've seen them in the west marine-overtons and boatersworld catalogs. so when im done with my keel repair and get it nice and smooth i'm going to get one my self. installation seems like a no brainer. just sand it smooth - alcohol prep it and apply. i wish i had one last week when i ran up a concrete ramp!
Ed Stone posted 08-16-2000 09:25 PM ET (US)
I seen somewhere else on the forum about
keel gaurds.The factory keel gaurds for
Gaurdian are screwed on with 3/4 inch srews.
The keel is layed up with enough glass to
handle the screws.
Ed Stone
djmerrill posted 08-17-2000 09:34 PM ET (US)
I have a 91 Outrage 17 that I put a keel guard on this spring. When I bought the boat last summer, one flaw I found was some damage to the keel near the bow. The gel coat had been worn away, as much as 1/2" over a 6" length. I decided to have a shop fix it since it would be much easier to access if suspended off of the trailer. I found Bowden Marine, in Bar Harbor, ME, to be a great small dealer, and capable and willing to do the repair. They suggested a keel guard (which I was planning to do anyway), so that the cosmetics of the repair to the keel would not be as prominent. The keel guard was about $125, plus about $25 for installation. This was close to the cost of doing a first class gelcoat match over the structural fiberglass repair (which ran $175). The guard has been on all summer, and works great. I do beach the boat occassionally, and feel much less guilt with the guard in place. I've noticed absolutely no performance impact. I didn't know about the stainless guards whaler makes for some models until reading this post. They sound durable and attractive, but I bet they are pricey!
Doug

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Author	Topic: Keel Guard
bboeri	posted 08-15-2000 06:52 PM ET (US) Has anyone had experience with any type of keel guard? I have a 1988 Montauk that I use for fishing, cruising, exploring, skiing, and everything else. A great, versatile boat. Withall of the exploring involving beaching the boat, I am wondering if some type of keel guard would make sense. If anyone has experience with them and could point me in a direction, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
maverick	posted 08-15-2000 08:00 PM ET (US) I have an 85 Outrage 18, and 3 years ago I bought a "Megaware" glue-on keelguard, about $140, gray heavy duty rubberized plastic type material. Had excellent service out of it to date, and it sees some bottom, as I pull up on sand from time to time. The bottom keel had to be prepped first - very light sanding about an inch or so from center of keel, 7' long. Apply some magic liquid stuff (clear), peel off backing tape, and stick it on. That's it. About an hour. I don't have any bottom paint, though, and the bottom is smooth and shiny whaler white. I did have one slight problem about a year ago - the stickum at the very front started to come loose, so I put 2 tiny stainless screws with 100 clear silicone to hold it. No problems since. Funny thing is, 3 years ago I wrote and literally BEGGED Whaler Corp to sell me OR give me the name of the manufacturer that makes the "WHaler" stainless steel keelguard that comes on Guardian 18s. NO cooperation on either account. They would NOT sell me one, NOR would they provide me their source so I could buy one direct. That toprqued me off a bit. They added that my "non-Guardian" hull was suited for it. Blah blah. I would have taken my chances, no skin off their nose. I'd make one if I could, but it's a rather specially designed piece. Oh well. That's why they call me "Maverick". Signed, Chuck Weigle, Aiken, SC
frank	posted 08-15-2000 09:32 PM ET (US) i'm in the middle if repairing scratches to my keel so i can relate. i've got an 87 guardian 18 and would like to get the stainless one but the keel shield is more readily available . i've seen them in the west marine-overtons and boatersworld catalogs. so when im done with my keel repair and get it nice and smooth i'm going to get one my self. installation seems like a no brainer. just sand it smooth - alcohol prep it and apply. i wish i had one last week when i ran up a concrete ramp!
Ed Stone	posted 08-16-2000 09:25 PM ET (US) I seen somewhere else on the forum about keel gaurds.The factory keel gaurds for Gaurdian are screwed on with 3/4 inch srews. The keel is layed up with enough glass to handle the screws. Ed Stone
djmerrill	posted 08-17-2000 09:34 PM ET (US) I have a 91 Outrage 17 that I put a keel guard on this spring. When I bought the boat last summer, one flaw I found was some damage to the keel near the bow. The gel coat had been worn away, as much as 1/2" over a 6" length. I decided to have a shop fix it since it would be much easier to access if suspended off of the trailer. I found Bowden Marine, in Bar Harbor, ME, to be a great small dealer, and capable and willing to do the repair. They suggested a keel guard (which I was planning to do anyway), so that the cosmetics of the repair to the keel would not be as prominent. The keel guard was about $125, plus about $25 for installation. This was close to the cost of doing a first class gelcoat match over the structural fiberglass repair (which ran $175). The guard has been on all summer, and works great. I do beach the boat occassionally, and feel much less guilt with the guard in place. I've noticed absolutely no performance impact. I didn't know about the stainless guards whaler makes for some models until reading this post. They sound durable and attractive, but I bet they are pricey! Doug