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Craftsmen's Corner / Re: Hull Protection
« on: March 28, 2024, 10:06:12 AM »
I've seen lots of hull protection posts and none of the solutions seem permanent. Some kayaks have that replaceable skeg, that's probably the only solution that I've seen that looks permanent, but still needs to be replaced depending on use.
That said, I'm also not sure why people feel they need hull protection. I'm careful with my kayak, not perfectly all the time, it has some scrapes for sure, some gouges. But I'm not wearing away any spot on my kayak, because I don't drag it except on sand or dirt.
When I wheel to the water I get the nose as close to the water on my wheels and then lift it off on to the ground. When I launch, I lift the back end and walk out, not scraping and the nose floats the yak until i'm ready to jump in and go. If i'm at a launch ramp I do the same, except facing backwards. I have hullavators, so it comes off the side of my truck, and on to the ground, with the rear of my yak already in the water. Launching by lifting the front and walking out and then I either launch backwards or turn it.
That said, I'm also not sure why people feel they need hull protection. I'm careful with my kayak, not perfectly all the time, it has some scrapes for sure, some gouges. But I'm not wearing away any spot on my kayak, because I don't drag it except on sand or dirt.
When I wheel to the water I get the nose as close to the water on my wheels and then lift it off on to the ground. When I launch, I lift the back end and walk out, not scraping and the nose floats the yak until i'm ready to jump in and go. If i'm at a launch ramp I do the same, except facing backwards. I have hullavators, so it comes off the side of my truck, and on to the ground, with the rear of my yak already in the water. Launching by lifting the front and walking out and then I either launch backwards or turn it.