Sun Dolphin Pro 120 Hull Protection

[gslauren]

Good day guys! Have any of you had a concern over the hull of the Sun Dolphin Pro 120? I have only had mine in the water about twenty times this year, and from the landings here in Florida, which are mostly concrete, the wear on the front center hull is significant. I LOVE this boat. So easy to use all around, but I don't want to wear it out too soon. I was thinking of adding metal to the wearing sections using pop-rivets and glue, but maybe there is a better idea. Open to all suggestions, Thanks in advance.

[MN Fisher]

I'm having the same issue with my Sun Dolphin Scout-SS canoe. I'm looking at KeelSheild or Keel Guard - both basically glue on...easier to mold to shape to match the hull.

[@reelChris]

I think it's always better to avoid putting holes in a hull, especially in a plastic boat that will flex and eventually breach any waterproofing you apply to rivets.  

 

I would second the suggestion to try an adhesive keel guard.  If those don't work for the shape of the boat, then I would look at using 3M extreme tape and marine goop to adhere protective materials to the boat.  So long as you are not working against gravity, marine goop will stick to polyethylene.  

[CountryboyinDC]

Those boats are HDPE, lots of choices for keel guards.  Pretty much any kit or method that would work on Royalex, 3 layer polyethylene, or rotomolded polyethylene should work.  How well it works usually depends on how much care is given to the prep and application of the fiberglass or aramid guard.  Easy would be https://www.keeleazy.com.  Much more durable would be something like skid plates https://www.austinkayak.com/Harmony-Kevlar-Skid-Plate-Felts-for-Royalex-Canoes/ACK9764P.html and resin https://www.amazon.com/Kayak-Repair-plastic-system-universal/dp/B01CM1WDSG.

[TcRoc]

I just use 2 layers of gorilla tape on the keel where I scrape and replace as needed.. ez pee zee 

[TnRiver46]

If you’re young and healthy don’t drag in on a concrete ramp. That puts holes in just about any plastic boat. Back when I took guided trips, we put a hole in tons of them in the back middle when launching the clients off a concrete ramp . They were easy holes to fix though 

[kjfishman]

Get or make a cart. As other suggested use Gorilla Tape for keel protection. I also put  down a sharp line on the bottom of my kayak..