Advice needed for keel guard

[krokokid]

Hi everyone!
I am seeking advise with keel guards. The local boat store told me that adhesive keel guards won't work for me since I am based in Las Vegas. I guess the adhesive won't work well with the extreme heat here. The store suggested a fiberglass keel guard that they can put on the boat. Costs $150 per foot. Needless to say that that is extremely expensive.
However, the rocky beaches at Lake Mead have already scratched up my boat pretty badly and I don't wanna risk further damage.
Does anyone have experience with adhesive keel guards in extreme temperatures?
I appreciate the help!

 

[Garrett C]

@krokokid I am not sure our heat here in Key West comes remotly close to the desert heat you live in, but with the humidity it will reach a feel 100 degrees. Not sure this will help you much, but I installed my keel guard on my boat last year and it has held great. I didn't have previous damage on my keel because I never beached it on the sand bars out here, but I just followed the directions and some guidance I found on this great forum and it has lasted great so far. Almost every time I go out now, we beach our boat on one of the island's but it is a sand bottom. The best advice I found was after I sanded, cleaned and applied the guard, the big thing was adding the 5200 sealant around the whole guard. I also saw a recent post where advice was given to make sure the exposed fiberglass is covered as that could cause soft spots in the hull. There are plenty of Jet Boaters on here from that area and I'm sure they have valuable input. Enjoy your 2020 AR!

 

[Riveramx]

Hi everyone!
I am seeking advise with keel guards. The local boat store told me that adhesive keel guards won't work for me since I am based in Las Vegas. I guess the adhesive won't work well with the extreme heat here. The store suggested a fiberglass keel guard that they can put on the boat. Costs $150 per foot. Needless to say that that is extremely expensive.
However, the rocky beaches at Lake Mead have already scratched up my boat pretty badly and I don't wanna risk further damage.
Does anyone have experience with adhesive keel guards in extreme temperatures?
I appreciate the help!

I used truck bed liner coating on mine. inexpensive ( bought a quart ). Easy to put on and can be re-applied.

 

[jEt_jAk]

So cal here with extreme heat and regularly in Havasu with 110 degrees weather, never an issue with keel guard or keel Shield. I’ve had both.

 

[Utah man am i]

I used truck bed liner coating on mine. inexpensive ( bought a quart ). Easy to put on and can be re-applied.

How often do you reapply?

 

[Riveramx]

How often do you reapply?

Where I live we have very strong tides of 6 ft or more. The sand bars change position regularly and I like to be close to the beach. I only re apply after inspecting the hull if I see any pieces missing from hitting a sand bar or from scratching the sand by the beach. Otherwise once a season.

 

[Sidarousmg]

I used truck bed liner coating on mine. inexpensive ( bought a quart ). Easy to put on and can be re-applied.

what bed liner did you use? spray on or roll on?
thanks

 

[Ratket]

Hi everyone!
I am seeking advise with keel guards. The local boat store told me that adhesive keel guards won't work for me since I am based in Las Vegas. I guess the adhesive won't work well with the extreme heat here. The store suggested a fiberglass keel guard that they can put on the boat. Costs $150 per foot. Needless to say that that is extremely expensive.
However, the rocky beaches at Lake Mead have already scratched up my boat pretty badly and I don't wanna risk further damage.
Does anyone have experience with adhesive keel guards in extreme temperatures?
I appreciate the help!

Thats Bull. I’m in Lake Havasu, the adhesive keel guards are fine in heat, mead and havasu temps have to be close to the same. What’s leads to them failing is improper installation. I would recommend not beaching, Anchor close to shore and use a shore spike, or even another anchor on shore. The retail cost for fixing rock rash is not cheap, I already paid it once, hence why I don’t beach it anymore unless it is a necessity. I would rather destroy a normal Rubber Keel guard than a fiberglass keel guard. Just my two cents, hop this helps.

 

[biffdotorg]

Call the mfg of the guard. I'm 100% sure they would warranty it if the adhesive failed. They warranty replaced mine after it got hit! Best warranty around. But hull prep is needed, but not hard. After installing two of these, a good hot day is what it needs to get it to stick properly.

 

[Riveramx]

what bed liner did you use? spray on or roll on?
thanks

Roll on. Easy to put on.

 

[dyfanf]

Roll on. Easy to put on.

Does it protect at all from small rocks, pebbles, stones, shells, etc? Or do you not know since you only do sand?

 

[biffdotorg]

Does it protect at all from small rocks, pebbles, stones, shells, etc? Or do you not know since you only do sand?

Once you have installed one of these, you get the feel for how thick it is. Yes, rocks, stones pebbles are not an issue, if they hit the guard. The only reason mine gave way, was we hit a metal cross member on the lift with the full weight of the boat, but it and peeled it back.

Rocks on a shoreline will not do much to it.

 

[Riveramx]

Does it protect at all from small rocks, pebbles, stones, shells, etc? Or do you not know since you only do sand?

I am sure it will protect against small stones and pebbles, before you apply scuff area with scouring pad. Clean with alcohol soaked lint free rag. Tape areas you don't want to apply. Follow directions for applying the bed liner. After it cures it should have the same properties of a bed liner in a truck.

 

[biffdotorg]

Once you have installed one of these, you get the feel for how thick it is. Yes, rocks, stones pebbles are not an issue, if they hit the guard. The only reason mine gave way, was we hit a metal cross member on the lift with the full weight of the boat, but it and peeled it back.

Rocks on a shoreline will not do much to it.

Sorry, I thought you meant the Keelguard or Keelshield

 

[Chaunceybland]

Sorry, I thought you meant the Keelguard or Keelshield

Can you post a pic of the liner material you used? I have some light scratches to buff out and will get a keel guard or try your method.

 

[Riveramx]

Can you post a pic of the liner material you used? I have some light scratches to buff out and will get a keel guard or try your method.

I just saw your post, Ill get some pics tomorrow.

 

[Ronnie]

@krokokid , sounds like your local boat store is trying to scare you into buying their more expensive product, for about $300 you can buy a 15” keel guard with a lifetime warranty that will get you a new keel guard if the adhesive on it fails.

keel guard honors their warranty, I know from several experiences.