keel shield

[MRS]

I had just had my upper end of the outdrive rebuilt and was ready to do some striper fishing. But I did check out the bottom of the boat not good I do beach the boat alot it is a 1970 and I know the person that bought the boat brand new he is not with us any more. Anyway were it had been repaired before it looks like the resein was not mixed right and then it looks like he did mix it right and covered the bad mix. I did sand down to the bad mix and reglass it is right on the center line of the keel before I glassed I soaked and wiped with a quart of aseatone to try and clean and dry seems to have worked. But my main question is I am going to put a keel sheild over the top of all this and wanted to know if any of you use these and how well they have worked for you I do not abuse my boat but I do use it as hard as I have to to fish with. Thanks for any info....

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: keel shield

are you talking about the glue on rubber type?

 

[MRS]

Re: keel shield

Yea, that is I was talking about I was wondering how hard or easy they are to put on right and also how they hold upper under use. Thanks for any help.....

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: keel shield

they are a pain to install if your trailer has keel rollers. they seem to stay on pretty well, with only the occasional re-glue of the edge here and there. I was considering one for mine, but ended up just re-gel coating it as it was a whole lot cheaper

 

[MRS]

Re: keel shield

I did raise the boat on the trailer so it sets on the runners only so I have alittle more room to work on the bottom. I think I will try one only because I do beach the boat alot in the summer if I just re did the gel coat it would just get bashed up again. Thanks for the info. I know this is not the right post area but was wondering if you do the striper fishing in the bay there heard it is great and trying to get there one day myself.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: keel shield

yes we do! and it was real good in the delta up till the rains started, I havent been back out since christmas, but once the rain stops and the water clears up it should be on agian!

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: keel shield

I put a keelshield on the 1975 22' Reinell after repairing a split in the keel at least 8 years ago. I had the boat jacked up on the trailer, also. I noticed it warps at the keel roller. I think I read something about that - it shouldn't be applied where it will sit on rollers. I wanted the extra protection on the newly repaired and painted keel, for when I occasionally beach the boat. It's held up very well, although it's starting to come loose at the top. I guess I need to figure out how to glue the top corners back down. I think the keel shield is worth the money and effort to install if you ever beach your boat.

 

[ufm82]

Re: keel shield

MRS- I have installed two shields and they are pretty simple. If you have access to the keel so much the better, but if you don't, you'll need to raise the boat off the roller. <br /><br /> I like the Megaware Keelguard unit myself. It conforms to the curve of the hull better and I like the pattern better than the pattern on the KeelShield. I also think that the prep process for the Megaware is explained better. <br /><br /> It comes with everything you need to do the install. IF you tape off where the shield goes, scrub the hull and hit every spot with the primer, the tape WILL stick. I put one on my 20' cuddy and I beached on a concrete ramp regularly. I now have one on my 19' CC and it gets put in the dirt and on the concrete ramp on every trip out. Neither has come loose. If you want the ultimate guard, have a dealer install a Hamby's Beaching Bumper. They're pricy but they are guaranteed to never come loose. <br /><br /> They are great for protecting your boat and for covering up that ugly keel. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: keel shield

i got one on my boat was easy to install i love it sure helps with scratches.i found dont pull all of the plastic off at once.pull a little to begin with then pull as you lay it on the bottom of the boat might help to lay in sun so it will lay flat.i hope this makes sense

 

[flashback]

Re: keel shield

Hi MRS, I like to use kevlar cloth as a keel shield.. I get a roll of it 10 inches wide, I tape off the keel 5 inches on either side and then sand down the gelcoat staying inside of the tape.. then just epoxy about 3 layers of kevlar over the sanded area... It works great...

 

[MRS]

Re: keel shield

Hey thanks for all your input I did raise the boat on the trailer as to have more working room.I will have to check out the megaware one I had not heard of that one wear did you get it at? and the kevlar cloth I can use in a couple of spots on the bottom that always seem to get beat up because I do beach the boat alot.Racer it did make sence what you said will come in handy when I do it. Scrumbler nice sea king now that looks like it took a hull of a lot of work looks nice. How long did it take you to complete.

 

[ufm82]

Re: keel shield

Bass Pro offers both brands and they are priced similarly. However, the Megaware piece had a special for a while- they included a nice little stainless steel "scuff buster" thingie that stuck to the hull around the bow eye and kept the bow roller from marking the hull. That's a $20 freebie. I don't know if they're still offering that or not. <br /><br /> They have a website- just Google it up and check it out. Like I said, prep is the main focus- do it right and it will work great. The 3M adhesive that is on those things is VERY aggressive. If it touches the boat, it's stuck, so be careful. Removing the tape a little at a time is detailed in the instructions. Do it that way. Make sure the bow end of the guard is above the water line so the water pressure doesn't work to loosen it. I put a 7' piece on my 19' ride and it works great. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[MRS]

Re: keel shield

UFM82, Thanks I am on travel now but when I get home I am buying one I will check out Bass Pro shop Thanks again.