Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Like the ones they sell at West Marine made to protect the keel when beaching? Do they work well?

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

I have some 20mil clear Paint protection film that is 3 1/2 inches wide. the best thing about it is it is replaceable, its much less expensive to replace the film then have to do a Gelcoat repair or paint. I can cut it in any length needed. It has 3M adheasive. Let me know if anyone is interested, I'm putting it on my tiger as soon as it's painted. We also Tested on Nor-techs and will be designing kits soon for their sides...Rob

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

I do not use one my self , we can not beach on seneca lake. But it is funny you ask , for I saw lots of boats around lake havasue poker run weekend that had them on. I thought they might work well. When you are on plane they should be out of the water.

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

I put one on a friend's boat, so when he crashed into the trailer it would just rud off. :D

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

I've used them on many boats (at Lake Mead) and they are great. I started at the lower strake and went back 8 or 12 feet depending on the boat length. No need to run them up the the deck unless you're beaching on a verticle cliff.

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

here is the film we use on headlights. once its on the paint it's virtually invisible. and at 20 mils thinck it wouldnt scrub speed hardly at all...Rob

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

My only concern with that stuff is, is it thick enough to prevent a ding/chip from a submerged rock while beaching? The plastic, like in the pic above, looks to be thicker.

Thanks for all the replies. I ask because I had rubbed the gel all the way down on my last boat from beaching in havasu :eek:

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

The film on highway use will take a 1 inch round rock at 100 mph and still not break. The difference is the speed you are beaching and the material your beaching on, if its sand with some small rocks you should be fine, if its bigger then beach in a diff spot :), i just had the bow repainted on my 311 and I'm going to put it on. I'll get some pics and you guys can be the judge...Rob

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

how much is the 3 1/2 inch stuff and what lengths does it come in....???

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

My buddies and has one on his boat and it works great. One of the rivers we boat on, we always beach our boats. I think that it is a must have, it is total out of the water when he is on plane. I am going to put one on my boat this summer.

With that being said, Anyone know the name and number of the guy that sells and install these in Cedar Springs

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

You probably saw mine at the Nautical with one on it. The bottom of my boat is blue and you can hardly see the blue keel guard on it. The sand on the beach used to leave white scrathes on the bottom of my boat that were really noticable. I'ts about 12' long, so on a 30' er like mine it doesn't even come to the step. It sure helps protect from rocks and sand though..... I think I paid about 600 for it.

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Comes in 60 ft rolls and its much less expensive than 600 bucks, when I get into the shop this morning I'll double check the pricing. Best part is its optically clear, so no matter the paint job it will show through. I have it in Rolls up to 30" inches wide. can custom cut lengths. as far as durability. While at Nor-tech, Terry took a quarter on a piece on the side and tried to damage it and it held up great.

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

I still can't beleive that you guys beach your boats. I wouldn't think about it. Even the purest sand will leave marks.

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

It sure does, that's why I want a guard on the keel. Heres a shot of us pulling a Tiger off the sanbar....After sitting for a few hours the tide went down a bit and low and behold, we barely got it off the beach!! :eek:

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Of course we were sitting next to this, so it wasn't soooo bad!! :drink: :drink:

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

what the hell tank, not a bad spot to hang till tide (cums up).....grimmy

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Ummmmmmm....that's not the sandbar. You tools are all taking a piss at the same time. What a bunch of ***s. Did you do a reach around? :D :evilb: :D :drink: :drink: :eek:

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Tank, You will be named King Poodle if you put that chit on your Top Gun!!! Don't do it Man!!! I would try the clear stuff if you have to have it, it can't hurt to try that first. :eureka: :cool:

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

thanks Craig, this is the same film that is on the headlights of your 2500. It is virtually invisible, you can atest to that, I'm checking on having it cut into varying widths based upon need. the best part about this film is the pliability for installation. Leave it in the sun and let it warm up its very flexible, or you can use a heat gun to get it to conform around corners.

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Nort, don't act so different when people are around. I didn't want to mention the part where you were doing a little "snorkling" under us!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

:evilb: :evilb: :evilb:

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

I've never beached a boat before so excuse me if this is a stupid question...why beach it at all? Can't you just sand spike it in front, run a line to the bow and anchor off the back with the boat a few feet from shore?

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

That's a lot of work! :D :D

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

But then you miss out on all the good parking.

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Exactly!!! :d :d

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

What's up with that?.... were you standing next to me when you took those pictures??

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Looks like it....... :D :D :D :drink: :drink: :drink:

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Tank...PM me or call my toll free number today, I'll send you some out to try...Rob

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Nort, you kill me! Those shadows look like when we really stand next to each other....Cause your small...S.M.ALL :drink: :drink:

Brock, I just realized your pics are from the fall poker run of '04. my pics are from a couple of weeks ago! :D

Rob, I'll PM you right now.

Tank

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Yup.. HotBoat Poker Run.
Looks like I'm missing out... I'll be there the two weekends after this one. Look me up, I'm the guy with the really small shadow. Boat graphics may change by then to HotrodOffroad.com. I think I may have sold eBoatDeals.com.

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

Me at the SandBar..........NOT BLOCKING THE CHANNEL LIKE A BUNCH OF OTHER TOOL WERE!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :drink: :drink: :drink:

Re: Anyone use a "keel protector"?
 

I use ths keel guard not keel shield. It's stronger.