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Suggestions for a keel guard

Txjetter17

Well-Known Member
Messages
50
Reaction score
13
Points
57
Location
Galveston, TX
Boat Make
Yamaha
Year
2017
Boat Model
AR
Boat Length
21
I see a couple different brands but what do you guys suggest? It’ll be on a 2017 ar210. Also the length? I figured i could trim it if it’s long.
 
I have a megaware keelguard on my boat and my ski. Wouldnt boat without one.
I have bumped some small debris and it kept keel protected
 
How much (if any) speed do you loose from the keel guard. I've had one in my hand to buy a half-dozen times but have always put it back. I have never beached, but I do worry about hitting a submerged log and taking a chunk out of my hull.
 
How much (if any) speed do you loose from the keel guard. I've had one in my hand to buy a half-dozen times but have always put it back. I have never beached, but I do worry about hitting a submerged log and taking a chunk out of my hull.
I don't think it does - hull cleanliness is key though.
I don't think those things cover enough to help much with beaching - if you beach you scratch the hull anyway.

Where I think it does make a difference is for example a (inadvertent) contact with concrete etc. - even low/no speed impact with a shallow concrete ramp can do real damage to the hull, and can be protected very well the shield/guard.

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Wont lose speed at all
 
I can't find it right now, but I remember somewhere in the literature or a product video, keelshield actually claims to improve your speed slightly. I remember seeing it and laughing a bit. I wish I could find it
 
I don't think it does - hull cleanliness is key though.
I don't think those things cover enough to help much with beaching - if you beach you scratch the hull anyway.

Where I think it does make a difference is for example a (inadvertent) contact with concrete etc. - even low/no speed impact with a shallow concrete ramp can do real damage to the hull, and can be protected very well the shield/guard.

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I agree. When I beach the boat I know I'm still going to scratch up the haul a bit.

The KeelGaurd is to protect the leading edge from a hidden rock or piece of concrete when beaching or when in very shallow water.
 
I don't recall anything negative about either Keelguard or Keel Shield. I have a Keelguard on my boat. Check around on pricing though...as when I put the on my 09, the manufacturer called for a 9' guard. Well, the 10 foot one was like $20 cheaper so I went with that.
 
I installed a 9ft red one on my 240 went pretty good with the red hulk almost can’t notice it.

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I’m probably going to put mine on in the next couple days.
 
I too did the 9ft for the 24ft boat in white keelshield by gatorguard. Pickedmit up from Amazon for $150, dealer wanted $800 with install. Tedious install, but worth it, be patient and follow the directions!! I had to wait for it to warm up, you being in Texas, no need to wait.
 
I put them on all my pwcs and 4 jet boats over the last ten years and wouldn’t go without them. Usually I just go with the manufacture’s suggested length , unless I need a little more to hide prior damage.

The only difference I saw in the keel guards and keel shields is that the guards have lines carved into them along their entire length whereas the shields have chevrons “V”s on them pointing forward that also run the entire length. Priced about the same at $20ish per foot.
 
I too have installed both I went with the megaware product this time. The difference I noticed was the Gatorguard product didn't have adhesive all the way to the end of the guard so there was a small gap at each end with no adhesive which I found weird but it worked just fine. The megaware product had adhesive the full length.
 
I purchased the Megaware product as well and received it a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, the directions say the outdoor temp and boat temp needs to be at least 60 degrees. We haven't seen any of those for a while! Maybe I'll get it installed sometime in June...
 
Put mine on. Got 10ft just because I figured extra wouldn’t hurt. We’ll see how it goes once I hit the water.
 
Put mine on. Got 10ft just because I figured extra wouldn’t hurt. We’ll see how it goes once I hit the water.

What did you think about 10' on a 21' boat? Was thinking I'd do 9' on mine but just grabbed that number out of my ass.
 
What did you think about 10' on a 21' boat? Was thinking I'd do 9' on mine but just grabbed that number out of my ass.
I used a 7' on my 21' which fit perfect. Starts right below the anchor drain and ends right after keel starts.
 
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