keel guard whos running one?

[AZMark]

I have mine since since 2013 shortly after I "roughed" up my keel on a public launch at Cayuga Lake.

Last year, I forgot about that launch and screwed up my keel but fortunately my keelguard took the brunt of the damage.

Kudos to Keel Guard They are sending (Warranty Replacement) me a 10' one to replace the damaged one. So the $125 I spent 7 years ago turned out to be a good investment. Now if I can just remember to never launch my boat on that lake .

I am sending Como the bill.

View attachment 131762

You’re supposed to launch the boat IN the water!

Joking aside, how did that happen, that’s some thick rubber to tear that badly.

 

[Ronnie]

I have mine since since 2013 shortly after I "roughed" up my keel on a public launch at Cayuga Lake.

Last year, I forgot about that launch and screwed up my keel but fortunately my keelguard took the brunt of the damage.

Kudos to Keel Guard They are sending (Warranty Replacement) me a 10' one to replace the damaged one. So the $125 I spent 7 years ago turned out to be a good investment. Now if I can just remember to never launch my boat on that lake .

I am sending Como the bill.

View attachment 131762

Keel guard has replaced two of mine, on for the boat the other for a ski. Be forewarned, getting the old guard and glue/tape off can be time consuming and uncomfortable. We used a drill with a wire wheel and eraser wheel.

 

[gthh]

You’re supposed to launch the boat IN the water!

Joking aside, how did that happen, that’s some thick rubber to tear that badly.

It happened when I was pulling the trailer/boat out of the water. The first time it sounded like the trailer was scraping the concrete (made me sick when I found out it was my hull being scraped) the second time I heard nothing and only noticed the damage when I trailered the boat home. That time the Keelguard took the brunt of the damage. Still don’t know how it happened.

 

[gthh]

Keel guard has replaced two of mine, on for the boat the other for a ski. Be forewarned, getting the old guard and glue/tape off can be time consuming and uncomfortable. We used a drill with a wire wheel and eraser wheel.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Ronnie]

These pics illustrate another reason to install a keel guard even if you don’t Beach your boat. There is a lot more to hit on the water besides the beach.

 

[2019scott195wake300]

i couldnt of said it better! i just dont done with mine this morning before work. Ill post up so pics on what i did tonight

 

[HangOutdoors]

I have mine but haven't installed it as of yet. Going to do it this Saturday so I have time to take my time.

 

[Shady28]

@Ronnie, how far back did you go. I ordered 11' so I have more than enough. I also ordered the stainless steel bow shield. My next question, is that if I come up higher then the water line almost to the bow shield, what would I do around the anchor locker drain hole, just trim around it and notch it out? The keel looks like it get pronounced and taller right where the curve goes to the flat part of the boat, wondering if I should stop right before that or after that.

Also I ordered it it black, since the blue wouldn't match perfectly.

Any advice would be awesome and greatly appreciated.

Amazon.com : Gator Guards KeelShield Keel Guard - Helps Prevent Damage, Scars and Scratches - DIY Installation - Compatible with Fiberglass and Most Aluminum Boats - Made in The USA - 4’ to 12’ Lengths : Dock Guards : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Gator Guards KeelShield Keel Guard - Helps Prevent Damage, Scars and Scratches - DIY Installation - Compatible with Fiberglass and Most Aluminum Boats - Made in The USA - 4’ to 12’ Lengths : Dock Guards : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

BowShield

Guaranteed bow protection from docks, trailer stops and bow rollers.

www.gator-guards.com

242x, went with the 12' Gator-guard and started at the front waterline and went as far back as possible. The keel towards the stern definitely becomes more pronounced, but the flex in the guard appears to still allow it to form and hold (at least since install last Oct.). We don't beach, but have rocky lakes in northern MN so having protection in the rear where the boat sits deepest in the water was important.

 

[2019scott195wake300]

on my 195 i started right under the hook at the front and went with 12ft. stops about 16ins from the intake.

 

[Ronnie]

A keel guard won’t protect the keel from everything but it’s a lot better than nothing.
if you beach your boat it’s a must have item IMHO.

I went with a black one this time around, it starts above the water line but below the anchor locker drain and extends to the second of four cross bars on the trailer and until I took the pic below this morning o thought it was fine. Looks like it’s time for some 3m 4200 or 5200, premature detachment is not covered under warranty unless failure of the guard itself causes it to peel off (for instance it develops a tear that water gets onto and causes the guard to peel, learned through an experience with one of my waverunner keel guards).

 

[Yamahaul]

why does the keel guard website say only 7 feet is needed for up to 20' boats? i dont know what size to order. another thread said 8' for a 19 foot boat

 

[Ronnie]

I think it is because many people who buy keel guards beach their boats and don’t need a full Length keel gaurd since only the front of the boat should come in contact with the beach.

 

[mrcleanr6]

I have an 8’ on my 232. This was enough to go 2’ past the rub zone from beaching it and about 6” above the water line

 

[2019scott195wake300]

from what i seen most people run a 8ft for the 19ft boat. also from what i understand if its to short it will come off. so it doesnt hurt to be long

 

[Yamahaul]

I ordered 8' thank you

 

[RobbieO]

I have mine since since 2013 shortly after I "roughed" up my keel on a public launch at Cayuga Lake.

Last year, I forgot about that launch and screwed up my keel but fortunately my keelguard took the brunt of the damage.

Kudos to Keel Guard They are sending (Warranty Replacement) me a 10' one to replace the damaged one. So the $125 I spent 7 years ago turned out to be a good investment. Now if I can just remember to never launch my boat on that lake .

I am sending Como the bill.

View attachment 131762

OMG...That's brutal...

 

[RobbieO]

from what i seen most people run a 8ft for the 19ft boat. also from what i understand if its to short it will come off. so it doesnt hurt to be long

That's what she said....

 

[OurCrew]

My 210 FSH just came in at the dealer, what length should I get, I do instead on beaching it on Topsail inlet or Onslow Island.

Has anyone gotten longer and cut off what wasn’t needed?
How far from intake is needed to prevent cavitation from it?

 

[mrcleanr6]

you dont need to go back anywhere near as far as the intake. use what they recommend and you will be fine. my 232 i put an 8' on i believe. i would beach it all the time and it only ever rubbed 2/3 down the length of the guard. for a 21 i would imagine a 7' would be more than enough.

 

[Ronnie]

In line with @mrcleanr6 recommendation I went with the length keel guard recommended and added 2 feet to cover more of the bow above the waterline. I think they recommend starting 6 inches above the line whereas I started higher at the bow eye.

If you are beaching your boat up to the intake grates you will probably have a hard time getting your boat off the beach.