Keel Guard

[Hellacool]

How well does this product work? I see a lot of people using them and I see them around me. Is it one of those things that appears to work but in the long run your boat is still going to get beat up from beaching and the guard just delays it or does it really do the job? I boat on a soft bottom lake and beaching looks like the easiest way to go but there are rocks here and there but even without rocks I have beached my old boat once or twice without a guard and the sand is really rough on the gel coat (which I am going to tear up anyway just to install the guard).

 

[Eric Ballard]

I just got mine and am installing it this week. I'll be reading the responses for sure.

That said, from other posts I have seen that the KeelGuard works great and is really cheap insurance. Also, I have not seen any report on any impact to performance.

 

[Julian]

Worked well on my last boat....haven't put one on the new boat as I'm not ready to beach her yet....

 

[Eric Ballard]

Worked well on my last boat....haven't put one on the new boat as I'm not ready to beach her yet....

Scratches in that beautiful blue hull you have would keep me up at night.

 

[Bennie]

@Hellacool - We've had ours on since early last season and use it all the time.

Yes - you're still going to scratch your boat when beaching. It's an inherently damaging action. Even with nice smooth wet sand your still "sanding" the bottom of your boat. My answer to this has been wax, wax, wax. Even then, if you get under my hull you can still see scratches.... but she's a boat and I bought her too have fun in. Se la vie

What the KeelGuard does is protect your keel, the thin line on the bottom of your boat, from taking any harsh/damaging direct impacts. (Ie: rocks that could severely damage your gelcoat and/or fiberglass)

Hopes this helps and I do highly suggest installing one on your boat. Like @Eric Ballard said, it's cheap insurance.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Well worth the small investment. Just follow the install instructions to a t so it will stick on your hull forever.

I beach constantly and it has not worn out. You still need to be careful of big rocks that might hit your gelcoat to the sides of the keelshield.

 

[Neutron]

I have Keelguard on my AR240 and one on my Fzs waverunner.
Highly recommended

 

[swatski]

I've had KeelShield on every boat, just waiting for really hot weather to install the new one. Love that company. I got a no hassle free replacement when I damaged one.
Hot weather is key for good install with those, need to be pliable.

--

 

[Blenderhead]

I opted to have a Keelguard installed during my 20hr service last week. With a beach and marina on our lake I figured I would eventually be beaching it and didn't want to lose my mind over scratching up my brand new keel/hull. The black Keel guard is hardly noticeable on my black hull. A great investment IMO.

 

[Hellacool]

@Hellacool - We've had ours on since early last season and use it all the time.

Yes - you're still going to scratch your boat when beaching. It's an inherently damaging action. Even with nice smooth wet sand your still "sanding" the bottom of your boat. My answer to this has been wax, wax, wax. Even then, if you get under my hull you can still see scratches.... but she's a boat and I bought her too have fun in. Se la vie

What the KeelGuard does is protect your keel, the thin line on the bottom of your boat, from taking any harsh/damaging direct impacts. (Ie: rocks that could severely damage your gelcoat and/or fiberglass)

Hopes this helps and I do highly suggest installing one on your boat. Like @Eric Ballard said, it's cheap insurance.

That is where I am at right now. Haven't beached yet, still enjoying my "new boat" smell but realize beaching would be so much easier. Since I made that conclusion I looked at ways to mitigate the effects of beaching and the keel guard is it. However I do have scratches already from the hard as a rock bow roller so the first scratch is already in the boat.

 

[Bennie]

@Hellacool one product that has been my saving grace is Poli-Glow. It's basically a urethane that is applied (annually). It dries very hard and ends up taking all the abuse (from beaching and other light abrasives). Hence saving your gelcoat.

Poli Glow Kit (New Applicator Mitt for 2014!) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GA2FOL2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UOAnzbR2JWGWX

 

[Matt Phillips]

Its cheap insurance and you only have to pay that premium once. I had one on my 232 and put one on my 242 yesterday. I don't typically intent on beaching, but if I need to nose someone up to "dockless" boat ramp at one of our local reservoirs, then I know if I mis-calculate and bump the shore by accident, then the Keel Guard is also there.

I also figure it can provide some protection in case you accidentally hit a small stick or something else unseen in the water.

As others have said, just follow the instructions to the letter on the install and it'll stay there forever. Also plan to spend some quality time on your back under the trailer.

 

[Bennie]

Also plan to spend some quality time on your back under the trailer.

I second that! My automotive creeper REALLY helped out.

 

[albett3]

I am a huge fan of these. The first year I had the boat took it up to Lake Winnipesaukee and managed to hit a rock. It took a nice chunk out of the gelcoat. I patched the damage with Marine Tex and put a Keelguard over it. Next year took the boat up to Lake Champlain for a week. This time my friend hit a rock. It took a good piece of the Keelguard off but there was no damage to the hull this time. Best part Keelguard sent me a new one under their warranty - just had to show them the receipt and a picture of the damage. Thankfully no damage since then.

 

[twentiesforever]

I just created a thread about my experience. It is 100% worth it. https://jetboaters.net/threads/another-keel-guard-success-story-and-some-advice-is-needed.13855/