Spray on Keel Guard?!

[Chaz Hickcox]

Has anyone used or heard of Keel-X from Line-X?  I saw a post on the Bass Cat Forum and am completely sold on the idea.  If they make it smooth for running in the water I just found project # 4 for my PIV!

[jdw174]

I don't know if I'd worry that much about it being smooth.  Earl Bentz wrote one time that in his racing days they would actually roughen up the hull with sandpaper to get better speed.  If you like the idea and it works.....go for it.

[Jig Man]

I'm not familiar with that one but have been hearing a lot about the Rhino lately.

[Shane J]

That is a great idea. I should have thought of it.

[fishn hard]

Sanding the pad does work on fast boats but you only sand the last 1ft of the boat it causes a small turbulence and helps the boat break free of the water at high speeds waxing the bottom will slow you down

[jj2]

was watching a episode of shipshape tv a while back and they were doing a spray on keel guard it was smooth and looked like it was pretty thick it looked really sharp

[BassThumb]

Sanding the pad does work on fast boats but you only sand the last 1ft of the boat it causes a small turbulence and helps the boat break free of the water at high speeds waxing the bottom will slow you down

This is true.  I've heard of pads that are dimpled like a golf ball.  The dimples collect bubbles and reduce the water friction.

[Chaz Hickcox]

I spoke to Ivan from Bass Cat Boats at the Richmond Fishing Expo and asked him about these.  He said that BCB had looked into the process, but there were difficulties in keeping the spray on keel guards consistant in thickness and protection capabilities, so they stick with Hamby's.  He then tried to tell me about my Hamby being indestructable only to have me tell him about my ice breaking debacle (it chewed about a six inch long by half an inch deep chunk out of the Hamby).  Didn't get to the hull, but still found some kryptonite for the Hamby.