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Author Topic:   Keel Guard

Waterwonderland posted 11-29-2010 05:21 PM ET (US)
I see a fair number of smaller Whalers equipped with keel guards which I assume protect the keel when beaching. What is the [advantage of their use? The disadvantage?]
JMARTIN posted 11-29-2010 06:34 PM ET (US)
I do not know of any disadvantage unless it would be that the manufacturer does not recommend the KeelGuard to be supporting the weight of the boat on a trailer roller.
My six- year-old KeelGuard is on a trailer roller and has not shown any signs of damage.
John
prj posted 11-29-2010 08:34 PM ET (US)
Keel rollers can delaminate a Keel Guard via a kneading action that ultimately will break down the connection between the Keel Guard and its adhesive. I had this happen at the bow roller location on my Outrage - 18.
Another difficulty with the Keel Guard is the acute angle of the forefoot of many Boston Whalers. My Outrage appears to be stretching the adhesion powers of the Keel Guard at its leading edge, just below the strakes as they join at the bow.
I have had a Keel Guard on a 15' Striper and two Keel Guards on my Outrage. The company responded excellently to my keel roller failure with a fast and free replacement in kind, despite their warning against using the product in this manner.
I like the product for beaching in sand and gravel, not just for lunch, or the afternoon, but beaching for days and night in succession when island boat camping in the lovely Northwoods of Wisconsin.

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Author	Topic: Keel Guard
Waterwonderland	posted 11-29-2010 05:21 PM ET (US) I see a fair number of smaller Whalers equipped with keel guards which I assume protect the keel when beaching. What is the [advantage of their use? The disadvantage?]
JMARTIN	posted 11-29-2010 06:34 PM ET (US) I do not know of any disadvantage unless it would be that the manufacturer does not recommend the KeelGuard to be supporting the weight of the boat on a trailer roller. My six- year-old KeelGuard is on a trailer roller and has not shown any signs of damage. John
prj	posted 11-29-2010 08:34 PM ET (US) Keel rollers can delaminate a Keel Guard via a kneading action that ultimately will break down the connection between the Keel Guard and its adhesive. I had this happen at the bow roller location on my Outrage - 18. Another difficulty with the Keel Guard is the acute angle of the forefoot of many Boston Whalers. My Outrage appears to be stretching the adhesion powers of the Keel Guard at its leading edge, just below the strakes as they join at the bow. I have had a Keel Guard on a 15' Striper and two Keel Guards on my Outrage. The company responded excellently to my keel roller failure with a fast and free replacement in kind, despite their warning against using the product in this manner. I like the product for beaching in sand and gravel, not just for lunch, or the afternoon, but beaching for days and night in succession when island boat camping in the lovely Northwoods of Wisconsin.