Keelguard And Shoot Through The Hull Transducer

[Traveler2586]

Anyone had any problems?

 

I just had a KeelGuard installed on my 2003 Ranger and now I'm loosing bottom lock on my sonar when I come up on plain.  Never had this problem before.  I'm thinking the KeelGuard is creating cavitation bubbles; but the KeelGuard ends six feet in front of the transducer.

 

Any suggestions?

[martintheduck]

Why is the keelguard touching the water while you're on plane? That sounds like the keelguard is too long?

[Wayne P.]

Any hull feature that creates air bubbles in the water stream that passes over the transducer affects the performance. The distance from the transducer doesn't matter.

[Traveler2586]

Thanks for the info guys.  The problem starts as I come up on plain to about 30-35 mph; at WOT it's very erratic and not a solid bottom lock.  FYI, I don't go WOT very much any more due to my back problems.

 

I've sent Keelguard an email with photos and they were very responsive, in fact I received a call from them today.  It appears the rear edge of the new guard is coming off and there is a small gap (1/8-1/4") between the guard and the hull.  Roger told me that is enough to cause cavitation and how to correct the problem in detail.

 

So I'm off to West Marine for some marine epoxy and it's back to the marine body shop for the fix.

 

Wish me luck.

[martintheduck]

Good to hear! Let us know what happens!

[Traveler2586]

Why is the keelguard touching the water while you're on plane? That sounds like the keelguard is too long?

 

It took me a while to understand your responce. 

 

I had the Megaware KeelGuard installed and it stops six feet in front of the transducer; the Hamby's Beach bumper I believe is shorter and does ride out of the water at WOT.

 

Here is part of the responce I received from KeelGuard.

 

"..............Ranger installs both the Hamby’s Beaching Bumper and the Megaware KeelGuard on their boats with no issues. However, they install 6 foot lengths. If yours is longer, or installed such that it terminates further back, then there could be a potential for cavitation. After discussing your situation with Roger Sutterfield at Hamby’s, he suggested the option of filling the grooves or channels of the rear portion of the KeelGuard with 3M 5200 adhesive to smooth out that area. .................."

 

I received a phone call from Roger Sutterfield of Hamby’s Beaching Bumper soon after I sent my email to Megaware.  Roger was very helpful and gave me detailed tips on things to try.  I discovered that Megaware and Hamby's are good friends and as Roger has had more experance with bass boats, Megaware sent the question to him.  Both companies appear to have some really great people on staff. 

 

I completed the suggestions Roger gave me but just haven't had an opertunity to get on the water as yet, I'll let you know how it goes.

[slonezp]

Sounds like great customer service

[Fishing Rhino]

3M 5200, gotta love that stuff.  It has a million and one uses.  When we got Corian tops for our vanities, the backsplashes came separately.  I asked the lumberyard what they used to secure the backsplash to the top.  They suggested a silicone sealant, and told us that usually lasts for a few years before it needs refastening.

 

I'd used the 5200 for several purposes on my lobsterboat, and it never failed.  So, I decided to use it to bond the backsplash to the top.  That was over thirty years ago.  There is not the slightest sign that the bond is failing.

 

The downside is that if you do not clean off the excess immediately, it takes power tools such as a disc grinder or belt sander to physically remove it.  I believe it can be cleaned up with mineral spirits, or lacquer thinner, before it starts to set up.

[Traveler2586]

3M 5200, gotta love that stuff.  It has a million and one uses.  When we got Corian tops for our vanities, the backsplashes came separately.  I asked the lumberyard what they used to secure the backsplash to the top.  They suggested a silicone sealant, and told us that usually lasts for a few years before it needs refastening.

 

I'd used the 5200 for several purposes on my lobsterboat, and it never failed.  So, I decided to use it to bond the backsplash to the top.  That was over thirty years ago.  There is not the slightest sign that the bond is failing.

 

The downside is that if you do not clean off the excess immediately, it takes power tools such as a disk grinder or belt sander to physically remove it.  I believe it can be cleaned up with mineral spirits, or lacquer thinner, before it starts to set up.

Acetone worked well for me, but what I couldn't get with the Acetone I had to power sand off with some 220 grit disk.

 

I didn't know 5200 came in   S   L   O   W   setting or FAST setting and the first 3oz tube I got from West Marine cured in 7 days.  I needed more so I went to a big box store and found a larger tube of the fast setting that cured in 24 hrs for half the cost of the small tube.  The instructions for the 5200 say you have to use the tube within 24 hrs after puncturing the foil seal, is that true??

 

I failed to mention that the Keelguard installed on my boat was eight feet long; two feet longer than recommended for my boat, so I cut off two feet.  Let me tell you that two feet was hello to get off; the 3M adhesive they use is some mean stuff.

[Traveler2586]

Sounds like great customer service

 

It was indeed, I was impressed.  When I sent my first email they responded the next day with some questions.  So I took some photos and measurements and sent a reply.  The next morning I got a call from Roger.  Both Keelguard and Roger asked me to stay in touch and let them know how I made out.

I'm hoping to get on the water in the next few day so I can close the loop with them.  I hope everything works.

[tomustang]

I second, their service is good. Recently had an issue with my gaurd and the situation was rectified.