Keel Guard on Aluminum boat

I have a new boat coming next week and want to protect it from day one. I launch by myself 95% of the time. I hook at rope to my bow eye then to my trailer wench. This allows me to let the boat float clear of the trailer then I ease forward to let the keel rest on the ramp. Once I unhook it, I park the truck with the boat sitting on the ramp. I launch 90% of the time at a resort and tying up the ramp of 4-5 minutes is rarely an issue since it's a double ramp.

I've been looking at the keel guard, gator guard, or a multitude of other products of different names but same application. It's a polymer strip that self-glues to the keel up toward the bow to protect the boat. I looked at several different makes and decided on one. I ordered it then went on YouTube to watch videos of installation. One of the videos said their product wouldn't stick to welded aluminum boats because of the uneven surface around the keel.

Has anyone put a keel protector on their aluminum boat? How did it apply and did it stay in place? I'd really rather not put a $150 protector on the boat then lose it because it didn't stick.

Contact Hamby's at 1-800-742-281. Ask about both the beaching bumper and the Hamby's Light. I have seen the Beaching Bumper on at least one metal boat.

I put one on my Crestliner deep V when it was new. Not long after that I was in Tn. came out of a bay, hit the gas and dam near flipped the boat on I side. It had came loose and ripped near the front of the guard. It went in the trash. Then spent days removing the glue.

Off subject but did you get rid of the bay boat?


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How about a strip of line-x type stuff. Not had any experience with it personally but could be an option.

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Originally Posted by Mike1234

Off subject but did you get rid of the bay boat?


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Long story but new boat is same as old boat. I'll be posting about it as soon as all the T's are crossed and I's dotted.

I inquired with a couple of the keel guard companies and both said NO, their product wasn't intended to make an almost 90 degree bend. Won't work. Waiting to hear back from Excel.

Sounds good I really like the excel


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I believe that one of our old members had Ice Runners put on his aluminum boat. These are formed aluminum pieces fitted over the keel and welded.

Hello: My first new aluminum boat was in 1988. I've unloaded my boats same as you. Never had a problem and never noticed any damage. Good Luck . O - R

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Originally Posted by Red190

How about a strip of line-x type stuff. Not had any experience with it personally but could be an option.

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That's an interesting idea! Linex could probably mask a strip, spray it, and be done in no time.

Some guys use epoxy when installing on their fiberglass boats to prevent peeling off,,, i installed ne last year and it was too cold when i did it, so it didn't stick well,,, so I removed it and they send me another free and it works as long as it was above 70 degrees when installing.,,it will pull the gel oat off a fiberglass boat,,,, so I assume it will remove paint if it has to be removed later... I just repainted mine,,,

I returned the Keel Guard then contacted Excel about what they recommended. Haven't heard back yet.

The Bay Pro line has a strip of heavy gauge aluminum welded from the bow eye to where the hull flattens out. It pretty much covers the center-line welds. This strip is like an ice-runner and takes the abuse when I beach it. It's that strip that makes the bend in the Keel Guard too sharp for them to guarantee it would stick.

Boat manufacturers should put some kind of keel guard on all new boats. My choice was the Hamby. Got one years ago after discovering the gel coat was gone & it was down to the fiberglass. I was always very careful beaching the boat, but if you do it enough, gel coat will deteriorate. Need that protection. I can just pull up on the concrete ramp now with no damage.

I've got keel guard on my boat Doug , you could ask Brm. I know bill puts them on his xpress


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I bought the Kevlar keel guard and its wearing just as fast as the regular keel guard IMHO

Get a Hamby, it don't wear! Got mine from Bass Annie in Memphis.

If your new boat isn't painted, I'd get a sacrificial strip of aluminum welded on over the keel.

I should have said it was down to the foam, under where the fiberglass had been.

make sure the contact agent will not cause the Aluminum to deteriorate!!!!!! i guess there is a reason we don't see advertisements for keel guards for aluminum boats!!!!!!

I have been around the boat business for several years and have not seen much success with the peal and stick type keel guards. One shop I worked at stopped installing them on alum boats because they just don't stay on. I have seen them come loose on fiberglass boats also - the only type that I have saw stay on good are the ones that you epoxy on. I have never had one on a alum boat but if you try one and it comes loose don't be surprised. Sorry for the negative comments but I have not seen a good adhesive system for the alum boats and I see a lot of boats throughout the year.

You launch similar to this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJQ1LRPzJzw

If you have a dock nearby, just pull it over to the dock and tie it off. Similar to the guy in the video.