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Author Topic:   Keel Guard; Dri-Dek

highanddry posted 05-29-2005 01:47 AM ET (US)
I am trying to get my Nantucket spiffed up for several trips this Summer. I have two dogs that might wish to ride along plus I have scuba gear which tends to scratch the deck, and the dogs sure would appreciate some extra traction. Is there any preference between the Aquamat squares in Overtons catalog versus the Dri-Dek product?
What is the group consensus on keel protectors such as KeelGuard and KeelShield?
Thanks in advance for advice. J
kingfish posted 05-29-2005 08:11 AM ET (US)
Don't know if you'll find a consensus or not, as I think the usage of keel guards is pretty limited (by a pretty limited need, I think.)
I have installed keel guards on an older Montauk that lives in water with pretty much all rocky bottom, and that is used largely by folks(family) who don't know (or care; not sure) much more about maintaining a Whaler than to put gas and oil in the motor and drive it. I put something like a 6' guard on the keel and something like 4' guards on each sponson. I'm very happy with the protection they give when the boat is inevitably pulled up on a rocky beach, and they look like they belong there. In fact unless you're pretty close and know what you're looking for, you don't even see them. Follow the instructions and they're pretty easy to install.
John
newportguy posted 05-29-2005 08:13 AM ET (US)
highanddry,
I have the installed the keelguard on my 17' Newport and have used it now three years without a problem in some tuff areas. It certainly does its jobs and really protects the bow from being scratched or gouged by beaching and rocks. Highly reommend it. Just make sure when you install it that the keelguard is warm and that your keel is clean and grease free. Having the keelguard warm allows it to be more flexible and easy to install.
Larry
Marsh posted 05-29-2005 11:59 AM ET (US)
I like my keel guard while boating, what with the rock-lined shores of East Tennessee lakes.
Marsh
Phil Tyson posted 05-30-2005 07:54 AM ET (US)
HighandDry -
I installed Dri-Dek on my classic Montauk and highly recommend it. I have had it in two seasons. While my color is putty like, the white should work for you. I ordered mine thru Dri-Dek via the web and saved alot compared to retail. Shipped quickly too.
I posted a thread on steps for the install which may be of some use despite the different hull. (http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/006341.html) There is a link in the thread to my photo album.
Hope it helps.
jimh posted 05-30-2005 09:14 AM ET (US)
[Administrative post]
divefan posted 05-31-2005 10:15 AM ET (US)
Check out the pics of my 17' Montauk. In a few of them you can see the Dri-Dek. I put it on when the boat was brand new. Chuck Tribolet from California had the idea first I believe. It took a lot of work to cut it to fit and there is a lot of waste if you do it correctly. But, once it's done it protects the deck from everything. Scuba tanks, weights, dogs, and anything else you can throw at it. :-)
Good luck!

http://home.comcast.net/~spearhunter1/whalerpics/index.html
Yiddil posted 05-31-2005 06:51 PM ET (US)
HI, I installed some with the thought of protecting my deck on my 2004 Nantucket....after one day of use, running all over the Potomac, and taking a walking trip with My other half and 23 year old son, I checked under the decking as I was told by an old pro that it would create a mess underneath............sure enough.....even after flushing the boat real well like I always do...........there was so much dirt and debree, I had to pull all the aqua-deck off and re-wash everything with deck wash...It was quite a pain...( I did this in April)...and to this day I have not reinstalled the decking because of that...seems to trap dirt, and all manner of crud under the decking...........
so much for trying to protect the Nantucket...Ill use her "Bald" with out decking at this point...maybe put a few pieces around the boarding area..a nd see how bad it gets...
Great product, traps dirt on your boat though!
Chuck Tribolet posted 05-31-2005 08:41 PM ET (US)
Dri-Dek, not Dri-Dek. I've got my whole Montauk Dri-Dek'ed,
even under the console. I started with three or four squares
to stand on, and it kinda grew like cancer. The cheapest
place to get it is straight from Dri-Dek (google it). If you
want a local source, try a veterarian supply place (they line
dog kennels with it so Fido doesn't lay in his pee.) It's
great stuff for SCUBA tanks, not so much to avoid scratches
as to avoid banging them down on the fibreglass. The
Dri-Dek sits up on little pegs, so most of the stuff that
gets tracked gets washed into the blige.
My Newfoundland Dog Beau has no trouble on the Dri-Dek but
slips some on the diamond pattern on the bow locker, and
slips like crazy on smooth gelcoat.
See http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/whaler/

Chuck
jimh posted 05-31-2005 09:37 PM ET (US)
[Changed all variant spellings of Dri-Dek]
Fellatthelast posted 06-04-2005 05:05 AM ET (US)
Can someone please expand on the keel protection system and where to get it from? My new 160 Dauntless sets sail from Jacksonville tomorrow and the local rocks off the North Wales coast are already gossiping in anticipation of putting some quality scratches in my new gelcoat!
Thanks
Rossi
dgp posted 06-04-2005 07:00 AM ET (US)
Hamby's Beaching Bumper www.hambys.com is the benchmark aftermarket keel guard device. I'm not sure they have an installing dealer in the U.K., but I'm sure any high quality marine composite repair shop can install it.
Email Hamby's directly and query them.
highanddry posted 06-04-2005 01:49 PM ET (US)
Fellathelast, the keel protectors are a urethane/plastic material that is bonded to the keel. The ones I originally asked about, Keel Guard available from Overtons, direct or several other places comes in a variety of lengths/colors and is 5 inches wide. It is generally installed by the owner--Do It Yourself--type thing. The guard is adhered using 3M adhesive and is considered semi permenant I am told. In other words, it can be removed but only with some effort. I ordered the product but have not yet recieved it.
The Hamby units is thicker and wider and seems to require dealer install. I think it may be overkill for my needs. I don't intened to intentionally hard ground the boat. Good luck.
LHG posted 06-04-2005 05:45 PM ET (US)
Except for the kind of usage Kingfish's Neptune Island Montauk gets, I always though keel guards are one of those ugly, non-purist, things you put on your brand new boat, and live with, so you don't ding up the keel of your boat. That way, the next guy, who buys if for half of what you paid for it, and takes the ugly aftermarket thing off, will have the luxury of having a beautiful factory original keel to show off. I've never felt I owe this to the next guy.
dgp posted 06-04-2005 06:04 PM ET (US)
Come on Larry, we know you secretly lust after the Commerical Division's stainless steel cutwater! You just forgot to order it.
bc posted 06-04-2005 10:08 PM ET (US)
Keel guard doen't recommend installing if the trailer uses keel rollers according to Cabella's. They said the rollers can cause the 3m adhesive to "turn loose". They were pricey as well.....5' for $120 bucks.
highanddry posted 06-04-2005 10:59 PM ET (US)
"Keel guard doen't recommend installing if the trailer uses keel rollers according to Cabella's. They said the rollers can cause the 3m adhesive to "turn loose". They were pricey as well.....5' for $120 bucks."

Well, the Nantucket factory trailer that is made for the boat does not have keel rollers. As to expense how much does it cost to repair a damaged/scuffed keel. Let's see, 35,000 dollar rig, 120 dollar Keel Guard, expensive--NO!
Back to my original questions, do they work, do they protect the hull etc. Aside from cost and perhaps incompatible with keel rollers what other negatives are there? Thanks in advance.
DWE posted 06-05-2005 02:09 PM ET (US)
Or you don't have to beach the boat at all, and just use this fabulous product:
http://www.anchorbuddy.com/
highanddry posted 06-05-2005 11:35 PM ET (US)
DWE, I have an anchor buddy, great product. I don't purposely beach the boat ever. My wife has accidently, with wind and waves and wakes and current helping allowed the bow to bang on the ramp while waiting for me to back the trailer etc. I see the KeelGuard as a just in case. There was only a minor scuff on the 'tucket from that incident. It may not be for everyone and yes I agree, that achor buddy is a nifty product.

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Author	Topic: Keel Guard; Dri-Dek
highanddry	posted 05-29-2005 01:47 AM ET (US) I am trying to get my Nantucket spiffed up for several trips this Summer. I have two dogs that might wish to ride along plus I have scuba gear which tends to scratch the deck, and the dogs sure would appreciate some extra traction. Is there any preference between the Aquamat squares in Overtons catalog versus the Dri-Dek product? What is the group consensus on keel protectors such as KeelGuard and KeelShield? Thanks in advance for advice. J
kingfish	posted 05-29-2005 08:11 AM ET (US) Don't know if you'll find a consensus or not, as I think the usage of keel guards is pretty limited (by a pretty limited need, I think.) I have installed keel guards on an older Montauk that lives in water with pretty much all rocky bottom, and that is used largely by folks(family) who don't know (or care; not sure) much more about maintaining a Whaler than to put gas and oil in the motor and drive it. I put something like a 6' guard on the keel and something like 4' guards on each sponson. I'm very happy with the protection they give when the boat is inevitably pulled up on a rocky beach, and they look like they belong there. In fact unless you're pretty close and know what you're looking for, you don't even see them. Follow the instructions and they're pretty easy to install. John
newportguy	posted 05-29-2005 08:13 AM ET (US) highanddry, I have the installed the keelguard on my 17' Newport and have used it now three years without a problem in some tuff areas. It certainly does its jobs and really protects the bow from being scratched or gouged by beaching and rocks. Highly reommend it. Just make sure when you install it that the keelguard is warm and that your keel is clean and grease free. Having the keelguard warm allows it to be more flexible and easy to install. Larry
Marsh	posted 05-29-2005 11:59 AM ET (US) I like my keel guard while boating, what with the rock-lined shores of East Tennessee lakes. Marsh
Phil Tyson	posted 05-30-2005 07:54 AM ET (US) HighandDry - I installed Dri-Dek on my classic Montauk and highly recommend it. I have had it in two seasons. While my color is putty like, the white should work for you. I ordered mine thru Dri-Dek via the web and saved alot compared to retail. Shipped quickly too. I posted a thread on steps for the install which may be of some use despite the different hull. (http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/006341.html) There is a link in the thread to my photo album. Hope it helps.
jimh	posted 05-30-2005 09:14 AM ET (US) [Administrative post]
divefan	posted 05-31-2005 10:15 AM ET (US) Check out the pics of my 17' Montauk. In a few of them you can see the Dri-Dek. I put it on when the boat was brand new. Chuck Tribolet from California had the idea first I believe. It took a lot of work to cut it to fit and there is a lot of waste if you do it correctly. But, once it's done it protects the deck from everything. Scuba tanks, weights, dogs, and anything else you can throw at it. :-) Good luck! http://home.comcast.net/~spearhunter1/whalerpics/index.html
Yiddil	posted 05-31-2005 06:51 PM ET (US) HI, I installed some with the thought of protecting my deck on my 2004 Nantucket....after one day of use, running all over the Potomac, and taking a walking trip with My other half and 23 year old son, I checked under the decking as I was told by an old pro that it would create a mess underneath............sure enough.....even after flushing the boat real well like I always do...........there was so much dirt and debree, I had to pull all the aqua-deck off and re-wash everything with deck wash...It was quite a pain...( I did this in April)...and to this day I have not reinstalled the decking because of that...seems to trap dirt, and all manner of crud under the decking........... so much for trying to protect the Nantucket...Ill use her "Bald" with out decking at this point...maybe put a few pieces around the boarding area..a nd see how bad it gets... Great product, traps dirt on your boat though!
Chuck Tribolet	posted 05-31-2005 08:41 PM ET (US) Dri-Dek, not Dri-Dek. I've got my whole Montauk Dri-Dek'ed, even under the console. I started with three or four squares to stand on, and it kinda grew like cancer. The cheapest place to get it is straight from Dri-Dek (google it). If you want a local source, try a veterarian supply place (they line dog kennels with it so Fido doesn't lay in his pee.) It's great stuff for SCUBA tanks, not so much to avoid scratches as to avoid banging them down on the fibreglass. The Dri-Dek sits up on little pegs, so most of the stuff that gets tracked gets washed into the blige. My Newfoundland Dog Beau has no trouble on the Dri-Dek but slips some on the diamond pattern on the bow locker, and slips like crazy on smooth gelcoat. See http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/whaler/ Chuck
jimh	posted 05-31-2005 09:37 PM ET (US) [Changed all variant spellings of Dri-Dek]
Fellatthelast	posted 06-04-2005 05:05 AM ET (US) Can someone please expand on the keel protection system and where to get it from? My new 160 Dauntless sets sail from Jacksonville tomorrow and the local rocks off the North Wales coast are already gossiping in anticipation of putting some quality scratches in my new gelcoat! Thanks Rossi
dgp	posted 06-04-2005 07:00 AM ET (US) Hamby's Beaching Bumper www.hambys.com is the benchmark aftermarket keel guard device. I'm not sure they have an installing dealer in the U.K., but I'm sure any high quality marine composite repair shop can install it. Email Hamby's directly and query them.
highanddry	posted 06-04-2005 01:49 PM ET (US) Fellathelast, the keel protectors are a urethane/plastic material that is bonded to the keel. The ones I originally asked about, Keel Guard available from Overtons, direct or several other places comes in a variety of lengths/colors and is 5 inches wide. It is generally installed by the owner--Do It Yourself--type thing. The guard is adhered using 3M adhesive and is considered semi permenant I am told. In other words, it can be removed but only with some effort. I ordered the product but have not yet recieved it. The Hamby units is thicker and wider and seems to require dealer install. I think it may be overkill for my needs. I don't intened to intentionally hard ground the boat. Good luck.
LHG	posted 06-04-2005 05:45 PM ET (US) Except for the kind of usage Kingfish's Neptune Island Montauk gets, I always though keel guards are one of those ugly, non-purist, things you put on your brand new boat, and live with, so you don't ding up the keel of your boat. That way, the next guy, who buys if for half of what you paid for it, and takes the ugly aftermarket thing off, will have the luxury of having a beautiful factory original keel to show off. I've never felt I owe this to the next guy.
dgp	posted 06-04-2005 06:04 PM ET (US) Come on Larry, we know you secretly lust after the Commerical Division's stainless steel cutwater! You just forgot to order it.
bc	posted 06-04-2005 10:08 PM ET (US) Keel guard doen't recommend installing if the trailer uses keel rollers according to Cabella's. They said the rollers can cause the 3m adhesive to "turn loose". They were pricey as well.....5' for $120 bucks.
highanddry	posted 06-04-2005 10:59 PM ET (US) "Keel guard doen't recommend installing if the trailer uses keel rollers according to Cabella's. They said the rollers can cause the 3m adhesive to "turn loose". They were pricey as well.....5' for $120 bucks." Well, the Nantucket factory trailer that is made for the boat does not have keel rollers. As to expense how much does it cost to repair a damaged/scuffed keel. Let's see, 35,000 dollar rig, 120 dollar Keel Guard, expensive--NO! Back to my original questions, do they work, do they protect the hull etc. Aside from cost and perhaps incompatible with keel rollers what other negatives are there? Thanks in advance.
DWE	posted 06-05-2005 02:09 PM ET (US) Or you don't have to beach the boat at all, and just use this fabulous product: http://www.anchorbuddy.com/
highanddry	posted 06-05-2005 11:35 PM ET (US) DWE, I have an anchor buddy, great product. I don't purposely beach the boat ever. My wife has accidently, with wind and waves and wakes and current helping allowed the bow to bang on the ramp while waiting for me to back the trailer etc. I see the KeelGuard as a just in case. There was only a minor scuff on the 'tucket from that incident. It may not be for everyone and yes I agree, that achor buddy is a nifty product.