Keel Protection

Can't go wrong with ChuckE. Will be heading to my local home depot instead... thx to vwool and chuck for always thinking of saving us some $$. I will nees it to go tuna fishing!

Peace & Blessings!

Fellas.... save yourselves some money and give JB Weld a try.  I learned that JB Weld makes a great keel guard when I was visiting a big Hobie dealer that rents out kayaks and canoes.  The guy at the shop said it adhered better to plastic then those expensive kevlar keel guards.  Just make sure the keel is cleaned well and roughed up before painting on a strip of JB Weld.  Here's a pic I took....

Is this the JB weld your talkin about? http://jbweld.net/products/marine.php
Looks useful!!

Is this the JB weld your talkin about? http://jbweld.net/products/marine.php
Looks useful!!

That's it.  The cool thing about that stuff is that if the strip gets worn down over time, you can add another layer.

West Systems also makes an epoxy "resin/glue/product" that is designed to work specifically with plastic; GFlex.  8oz of mixture(4:4) is about $20.  Tough yet flexible!

I'm sure there's other adhesive products will work as a skid plate as long as it stays hard and smooth against the hull and doesn't peel at the edges.  I've used two part epoxies as a keel protector in the past.  It works great in beginning, but over time in the heat and salt it eventually begins to separate at the edges which is bad deal.  One time, I was fighting a yellowtail when my spectra line swung under the front of the kayak and got caught in the hairline gap between the epoxy and the hull.  I almost lost the fish.  Luckily, the spectra somehow sawed through the epoxy.  When I got back home I peeled the rest of the epoxy keel protector off.

Good to know.  I'm planning on applying some of this gflex in the very near future.  I like the fact that West Systems tests their products to the N'th degree and all their incoming techs and sales people go thru a BUNCH of hands on training with their products.  This product line came about because of the need for an epoxy that works with kayak/canoe hulls.

ChuckE - how long does JB Weld usually hold up in the salt?
Thanksss
-D

When you say "rough up the plastic" do you mean a light sandpaper or will the scratches on the hull do the trick?
 I once had a cracked head on a Datsun pickup go 6 years with a JB weld fill (the regular stuff of course). Was still going when I gave it to a neighbor.

When you say "rough up the plastic" do you mean a light sandpaper or will the scratches on the hull do the trick?
 I once had a cracked head on a Datsun pickup go 6 years with a JB weld fill (the regular stuff of course). Was still going when I gave it to a neighbor.

Yes.  I generally use a 80 grit with a wipe down of rubbing alch. before and after sanding.

When you say "rough up the plastic" do you mean a light sandpaper or will the scratches on the hull do the trick?
 I once had a cracked head on a Datsun pickup go 6 years with a JB weld fill (the regular stuff of course). Was still going when I gave it to a neighbor.

Yes.  I generally use a 80 grit with a wipe down of rubbing alch. before and after sanding.

Perfect.  The guy at the kayak shop told me that JB Weld adheres well to the little fibers that are exposed after sanding.

ChuckE - how long does JB Weld usually hold up in the salt?
Thanksss
-D

I don't know for sure since the kayak shop's (Sierra Nevada Adventure Company in Sonora, CA) boats rarely touch saltwater.  You're guess is as good as mine because I have yet to try JB Weld.  I'm just going by the old shop mechanic's recommendations.

Victor,  I am still interested and would like to order soon.  Keep us updated on the Keel Eazy group buy.

as we speak my AI is lying in the carport with the JB weld drying

as we speak my AI is lying in the carport with the JB weld drying

Steve - How about a pic?

OK guys so who is interested in the group by? What size and color do you guys want?

OK guys so who is interested in the group by? What size and color do you guys want?

Red - 20 feet.  So it blends w/ my Red AI and GWS can't see it.