Bass Dude Posted December 11, 2011 Posted December 11, 2011 Looking for opinions on which one to get. I've seen reviews that say the adhesive on the KeelGuard isn't as good as it is on the KeelShield and it started to come off after some use. Also, are they really as easy to install as they say?? Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted December 12, 2011 Super User Posted December 12, 2011 Regarding the "coming loose". The complaints I've read about that are from the do it yourselfers. Some will say it's a piece of cake to install. No doubt, for some it is, but for others, it's best left to the pros. If it falls off, it should be on them. If you install it and it falls off, it's on you. Regardless of which product you choose, they are not meant to be routinely grounded on concrete ramps. Concrete ramps are very abrasive, so be gentle when you place your boat on them. Never "land" your boat on a ramp unless the water is calm. The waves will lift the boat and set it on the concrete repeatedly, destroying the keel shield/guard protection in short order. The forward vee of the keel is one of the most vulnerable parts to damage on any boat, particularly fiberglass. A good keel protector will run about three hundred dollars, plus two to three hundred to get it installed. Prices may vary, with the cheapest install on any given boat usually be when you order it on a new boat. So, when an amateur has his keel guard end up on the bottom of the lake, he'll need to buy an other, and most likely decide to have it professionally installed. The total cost for the final job in that case will be close to nine hundred dollars. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish when it comes to the installation of any products on your boat. 1 Quote
Super User Jig Man Posted December 12, 2011 Super User Posted December 12, 2011 There used to be problems with the glue a few years ago. I had one come loose. I called them (don't remember if it is Keel Shield or Keel Guard) but I was told that 3M had made a new glue and there was now a lifetime guaranty instead of three years like on mine. I took the old one off and put a new one on. It has been there for 5 years and is in great shape. If you take the product and hold it up to your boat and mark around it with a pencil, take a Scotch Brite pad and rough up the boat, then clean it well with acetone before you install it there is nothing to the job. It should be done in warm weather for a more pliable product and a better initial stick down. Quote
Crankenstein Crony Posted December 13, 2011 Posted December 13, 2011 Im not trying to steal the post but I have a keel guard question too. The bottom 6 inches or so of my keep guard has come loose. Can I re-glue my keep guard to the boat and still have it be effective. There is no other issue with the keel guard other than the bottom few inches coming loose. Everything else is still holding strong! Quote
IneedAnewScreenName-4391 Posted December 13, 2011 Posted December 13, 2011 Keelshield is by far and away the best. Now given I may be a little bias but testing proves I'm correct. The Results are in: KeelShield is the Best! These lab tests were conducted by Structural Composites, Inc. The KeelShield 3M adhesive system wins out taking nearly 4 times the force to peel, compared to our nearest competitor Keel Guard. Keel Guards "manufactured blend of the highest quality anti-abrasive materials" lost over 4 times its mass vs KeelShield with its "Dow urethane polymers" in abrasion resistance testing. PLUS we backed it up at another accredited lab proving KeelShield is the better of the two. Remember to look for the "GATOR" - You'll know you're getting the best. Are the more expensive materials worth protecting your boat ? Lab testing proves it. The difference is the KeelShield patented design is made of urethane polymers, the strongest materials not plastic or PVC-based. Only the best raw materials are used from Dow Polymers and BASF colors. Along with the strongest 3M advanced pressure adhesive system that is nearly twice as thick as the nearest competitor. Plus it comes with a 100% lifetime warranty on abrasion and adhesion is covered to the original purchaser. If you have any questions you can find us at keelshield. com or email me at supply_guy66@yahoo.com. Quote
IneedAnewScreenName-4391 Posted December 13, 2011 Posted December 13, 2011 Im not trying to steal the post but I have a keel guard question too. The bottom 6 inches or so of my keep guard has come loose. Can I re-glue my keep guard to the boat and still have it be effective. There is no other issue with the keel guard other than the bottom few inches coming loose. Everything else is still holding strong! Crony you can try and use some marine epoxy to fix your problem and you might get lucky. Good luck if I can help in any way just let me know. Quote
freebie Posted December 14, 2011 Posted December 14, 2011 There used to be problems with the glue a few years ago. I had one come loose. I called them (don't remember if it is Keel Shield or Keel Guard) but I was told that 3M had made a new glue and there was now a lifetime guaranty instead of three years like on mine. I took the old one off and put a new one on. It has been there for 5 years and is in great shape. If you take the product and hold it up to your boat and mark around it with a pencil, take a Scotch Brite pad and rough up the boat, then clean it well with acetone before you install it there is nothing to the job. It should be done in warm weather for a more pliable product and a better initial stick down. don't use acetone to wipe down, it leaves behind a film that interferes with adhesion. that was one of the reasons so many fell off it actually says in the directions not to use it. Isopropyl alcohol is the best solvent to use when trying to apply anything with adhesive. as far as which is better...my shop will only install keelshield. had very good luck with them Quote
CHRGD Posted December 14, 2011 Posted December 14, 2011 I had a keelguard on my inboard tracker, and it came loose. Not because of the product, but because I installed it over the strip of aluminum they used for a keel. The keel was too big, and the product failed. Now if you were installing on a glass boat, or a smooth bottom boat, I think it would be fine. If you decide to purchase, I have a brand new 7' in grey, that I would be willing to let go cheaper then new. Good luck with either way you go. Quote
Super User South FLA Posted December 17, 2011 Super User Posted December 17, 2011 1. Hamby's 2. Keel Guard or Keelshield make sure you have a bead of 5200 placed around the entire protector edge once installed, make it part of the install. Quote
Al Wolbach Posted December 28, 2011 Posted December 28, 2011 I have a Hambys that was installed when my 98 Champion was new. Still looks great..............Al Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.