I have a 97 Scarab 22 that I have done some work to get the hull looking nice. I bought the boat used in August 2011 and there was a bad wear spot in the keel about the middle from beaching ( I assume because the gel was neraly gone and it was all smooth) and I added some gel repair. It is covered now looks nice but I fear it is thin and will quickly be gone if I beach the boat.

I know,I know about beaching and I did not last season due to this but with my littles ones it will make the day last longer.

I am looking to make an informed descision regarding some sort of keel gaurd. Anyone have one on a performance boat? What about it affecting the performance? I wonder also on what people think for resale,assuming they arent taking them off before selling?

Any info would be great thanks

Most of the keel guards I've seen attach with double sided tape. That would mean removing one should be a matter of heating it up with a heat gun, then peeling it off. Any residual tape / adhesive should come off with solvent.

As for affecting performance, I kind of doubt it. These things are generally placed pretty far forward and thus would not be in contact with the water at speed.

I agree, propably won't change performance, they are just ugly.

I put one on my Dad's boat but that was because he has a habit of not securing lines properly in a slip and always bangs the keel up on the dock in the front.

It works, they are easy to install, I am just not a fan of how they look.

Don't waste your money, they do not stay on. At least that is what I have seen. Good idea but,,the adhesive doesn't hold for very long.

One thing they have started doing around here is rhino lining. The guys spray a coat on the keel. It blends perfectly. It was pointed out to me I wouldn't have noticed. They also match the color of the gel pretty close.

Rhino Lining, huh

I had a wear spot from the previous owner beaching. It was about 4 inches of the keel that all the gel was gone. It was rubbed smooth and shiny like freshly buffed paint.

I put a few layers of new gel over it and I just think that it is not going to last very long as thin as it is.