DIY keel guard?

[riverbasser]

Anyone make their own keel guard? If so how did you do it and what did you use? Would like to put one on my boat but I can't see paying over a hundred bucks for em. 

[iabass8]

I got a megaware KeelGuard on amazon for 88$ shipped a couple years ago. Just look around. It's not one of those items I'd go cheap on. 100$ for something that can prevent thousands of dollars in glass damage is beyond worth it. 

[MassYak85]

My dad actually has a keel guard that is the same material as bed-liner. The guys at the marina knew a guy who was willing to try it and it came out pretty good IMO. It's gotten a little chipped up but better that than the hull. 

[riverbasser]

20 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

I got a megaware KeelGuard on amazon for 88$ shipped a couple years ago. Just look around. It's not one of those items I'd go cheap on. 100$ for something that can prevent thousands of dollars in glass damage is beyond worth it. 

I get that and maybe I'm just cheap but a strip of rubber or whatever material it is made of and some 3m tape just doesn't seem to be worth a $120-140. $88 is a little better

[WIGuide]

10 hours ago, riverbasser said:

I get that and maybe I'm just cheap but a strip of rubber or whatever material it is made of and some 3m tape just doesn't seem to be worth a $120-140. $88 is a little better

It might seem like it's expensive for what it is, but they really are worth every penny they charge. A lot of the ramps on the lakes around me don't have docks, so I'm constantly forced to pull right up to the bank. It's fine if it's just a sandy shore, but so many of the ramps here are surrounded by gravel. If I didn't have one the V of my hull would look like garbage and would most likely have chips out of the gel coat. Preventing those helps retain the value of my boat, and prevents costly repairs from having to be made. Personally I won't own another glass boat without one. 

[J Francho]

11 hours ago, riverbasser said:

I get that and maybe I'm just cheap but a strip of rubber or whatever material it is made of and some 3m tape just doesn't seem to be worth a $120-140. $88 is a little better

 

Ever get gel coat work done?  That'll change your perspective in a heartbeat.

[webertime]

Check ebay from time to time.  Election night while everyone was watching TV I won one for $60...

I also have a code for 20% a Keelshield factory direct if you want.

 

Worth EVERY penny from what I have seen.

[Fishing Rhino]

Yes, you can install a keel guard yourself.  But, I have read horror stories about people who have installed their own, only to have it end up on the bottom of the pond/lake/river.  They have no recourse when that happens.  

 

Have it done where they guarantee their work.  If it falls off, they have to either refund your money, or install another one.

 

The hull has to be cleaned, marked where the keel guard will go and then that area must be scuffed to produce a good bond.  

 

Sometimes, the cheapest way is not the most economical way to go.

[WRB]

If you beach the boat it's worth it.

Tom