keel guard

[stubbsboogie]

OK so I have a stupid question...I think.

I am going to out a keelguard on my boat as we beach alot.
The keel sits on a roller at the front of the trailer. When the keel guard comes in can I just unbolt the roller and drop it down put the guard on then put it back up? If so do I need to support the boat. If not how do I get the keel off the roller.

Any tips are greatly appreciated.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: keel guard

Is there any way you can hoist up the bow and then take 4X4's wrapped in carpet or (some type of cushion) and set them on the bunks and lower the bow back down on the bunks while working on installing the Keelgaurd?

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: keel guard

No not really. Dont have that kind of equipment. Not good to put that much weight on the bow eye? And just have it hold the bow on the winch stand.

I could probably get ahold of a floor jack and maybe jack it up from the bottom. Would that work? That would be kind of difficult I think. Alot of weighton the bottom of the boat.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: keel guard

I wouldn't have a problem raising the front end for a couple of minutes and then lower it back down on the 4X4 pieces, It shouldn't take you too long to install the keelgaurd, then hoist the front end back up to take out the 4X4's and lower her back down and be done with it, But that's just me, Maybe the other guys can give you other options. Let us know how it worked out.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: keel guard

Crank your trailer post all the way up, get a couple 8' 2x4's cut them a length to fit right between the ground and up under the rub rail on either side near the bow, wedge them in and crank your jack post down, you'll have to figure out the small details but i think it could work.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: keel guard

If I am not mistaken, KeelGuard instructs not to support the weight of the boat on their product. The theory, I believe, has to do with scooting the KeelGuard from position while loading and movement while trailing. You might look at their site as they used to have installation instructions. I just looked it up for you: Note: If your trailer is designed such that the entire weight of the boat rests on rollers or a support beam along the keel, we do not recommend installing the KeelGuard.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: keel guard

Note: If your trailer is designed such that the entire weight of the boat rests on rollers or a support beam along the keel, we do not recommend installing the KeelGuard.

Good point, I didn't even think of that, I don't have the rollers to worry about and didn't even think of that

 

[rbh]

Re: keel guard

OK so I have a stupid question...I think.

I am going to out a keelguard on my boat as we beach alot.
The keel sits on a roller at the front of the trailer. When the keel guard comes in can I just unbolt the roller and drop it down put the guard on then put it back up? If so do I need to support the boat. If not how do I get the keel off the roller.

Any tips are greatly appreciated.

I am trying to understand this, the aftermarket, rubber piece that is adhered to the keel bow to stern, that protects the keel, you are going to do what with???
rob

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: keel guard

Stubbsboogie:My trailer doesn't have rollers, I know your trailer does, The question is: Do you have bunks and do you really need rollers for your boat?? You are wanting to install the Keelgaurd for your 2006 Rinker?? Do you have to have the rollers for your boat? Just a thought, our boats are about the same size I believe and don't have rollers on my trailer.
http://www.keelguard.com/keelguard.html

 

[Billfo]

Re: keel guard

How about going to the ramp, loosen the bow strap & float the boat back off the trailer about a foot away from the bow stop.. Lengthening the safety chain is probably a good idea first.. anyway, slowly pull your boat out of the water....Attach per the instructions. unless you cant get it wet right away, then this probably wont work.. Sorry.. Just think'n ! Billfo

OK so I have a stupid question...I think.

I am going to out a keelguard on my boat as we beach alot.
The keel sits on a roller at the front of the trailer. When the keel guard comes in can I just unbolt the roller and drop it down put the guard on then put it back up? If so do I need to support the boat. If not how do I get the keel off the roller.

Any tips are greatly appreciated.

 

[MRS]

Re: keel guard

If the keel guard sits on any thing when on the trailer it will probably ruin the keel guard. If you have bunk boards on the trailer you could raise them alittle and the keel should not ride on the roller.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: keel guard

I'd leave that roller there if the bunks are too short. That could very well be why there is a roller there in the first place.

Captain Chris
SternMate?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: keel guard

First, unless you beach on rocks, why not just skip the keel guard? Beaching won't kill anything and scratches don't matter.
If the keel guard is just a short piece for the point of the deadrise, you should be able to drop the front roller and install as you suggested. And so what if the keel guard on a roller "hurts" it a little?
But if it's for the whole length of the boat (why?) maybe not.
You may have a trailer with rollers and no bunks or just bunks for stability. These are salt water trailers that you don't have to dunk the axles and they last a long time.
Regardless of what Keelguard says, look at what your boat manufacturer says. Whalers are supposed to sit on rollers. Carolina Skiffs are not.
You can lift a bow with a bow eye for a short period of time. But whatever you use, be sure you have back-up in case of failure.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: keel guard

I think very little of the actual boat's weight sits on the roller. I think it is mainly there for centering the boat on the trailer. it was a lake boat before we got it. NOw we have to beach alot on sandbars and the boat is really shiny and I do not want to scuff it up.(never hada fancy boat before)
We are planning on making some trailer mods in the off season to combat the currents that we boat in. Thereby making the roller unnecessary but until then...

I was hoping to get it on next weekend and thought it would be an easy project but it sounds like I possibly should just wait until we change the trailer setup.
what do you guys think wait or not wait?
Thanks for the help.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: keel guard

Why wait?? just raise the front end, install the keelgaurd and be done with it. Your probably only going to use a 5'-6' piece anyway, won't take that long to do. If the boat doesn't rest soley on the roller then the roller shouldn't do any more damage then beaching would. Just my thought. I beach everytime we go out, It's not sand, it's smooth round river rock. pics to show what I mean by the rock.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: keel guard

I would like to say that I am a real believer in the Keel Guards. I initially wanted the guards for the same reason as you, beaching was rubbing off the gelcoat on my new catamaran.

However, they did not recommend that I install the guard as my cat sits on a trailer that total supports the keels, full contact.

After giving it a lot of thought I decided the money spent was worth it if it worked, but that I would install it differently than instructed.

1st, I lifted the boat as was previously suggested, using the trailer tongue jack, and subporting the hull on 4x4's, then lowering the jack.

After prepeping as instructed, I installed the guard on the bottom edge (keel) only. Then lowered the boat onto the guard and let it sit for 2 hrs in the summer heat. After that I installed the guard from the stern to the keel, forcing the guard away from the keel to try to keep it from "moving" during loading and unloading.

Am I ever glad I installed the guard. It protected the keel when my son-in-law accidently grounded us on the hardpan of the Homosassa River. 2 holes were torn in the guard but no damage to the hull. My son cross loaded the boat onto the trailer and left severe rub marks on the guard but no damage to the boat. And it kept the sand from damaging the keels when beaching.

I don't know how long it will last, no problems so far from the sitting on the trailer, but there have been some delamination of the plastic from the 3m adhesive in areas well away from the bottom edge. I have repaired those areas with 5200. I will continue repairing until no longer reasonable, and then I will install new guards.

Sorry for the long post but I really like this product, it has saved me from a lot of damage and subsequent insurance claims.

Bob