Keel guard for new kayak

So as I mentioned  a few times before, I got myself a new Outback and working on getting it ready for fishing.  What do you guys think of Gator Patch to protect the keel (https://www.gator-guards.com/products/gator-patch)?

I used KeelEazy (http://www.keeleazy.com/) on my previous kayak and it didn't work very well

Any other recommendations? Thanks

You won’t like what I said. Lol
JB weld is what you need.

  The plastic needs to be prep'd properly for Keel Ezy to adhere properly.

    6P's   Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance   

Based on your post and some research I went ahead and purchased a 3” X 36” roll of Gator Patch. The material is similar to an epoxy but uses sunlight to bond. It is not a peel and stick like keeleasy. The GatorPatch is very easy to use and gives you a uniform thickness. It is probably a little stronger than epoxy (JB Weld) because it has a fiberglass mat in the middle.

So it is way easier to apply than an epoxy and a little stronger, but very expensive. Also, I painted it to match the hull color.

Based on your post and some research I went ahead and purchased a 3” X 36” roll of Gator Patch. The material is similar to an epoxy but uses sunlight to bond. It is not a peel and stick like keeleasy. The GatorPatch is very easy to use and gives you a uniform thickness. It is probably a little stronger than epoxy (JB Weld) because it has a fiberglass mat in the middle.

So it is way easier to apply than an epoxy and a little stronger, but very expensive. Also, I painted it to match the hull color.

Looks good.

I like this stuff:

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-system--g-flex-650-8-liquid-epoxy-resin-and-hardener--9223132

Kind of pricey, but a little goes a long ways, and it's useful for other things too.

Based on your post and some research I went ahead and purchased a 3” X 36” roll of Gator Patch. The material is similar to an epoxy but uses sunlight to bond. It is not a peel and stick like keeleasy. The GatorPatch is very easy to use and gives you a uniform thickness. It is probably a little stronger than epoxy (JB Weld) because it has a fiberglass mat in the middle.

So it is way easier to apply than an epoxy and a little stronger, but very expensive. Also, I painted it to match the hull color.

Thanks. I ordered the same and will install when I get back home

The Gator Patch looks like a great option,  but I have a question.
How does it hold up against the grinding/friction (sliding up ramps)? 
I know there is fiberglass between the layers, but that can wear as fast or faster than the hull itself.  I'm curious about using 2 layers of G-patch with steel mesh between for long term protection.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
;0)

       A replaceable wear strip.   With a backer plate positioned inside the kayak,, you could attach a thick piece of polyethylene .    A lot less messy.

The Gator Patch looks like a great option,  but I have a question.
How does it hold up against the grinding/friction (sliding up ramps)? 
I know there is fiberglass between the layers, but that can wear as fast or faster than the hull itself.  I'm curious about using 2 layers of G-patch with steel mesh between for long term protection.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
;0)

The Gator Patch is designed to hold up against grinding/friction so it is very hard. I'm guessing that the fiberglass is added to give it some shatter resistance, and for crack repairs, not to help with abrasion resistance. The company recommends one or more layers depending on the weight of the kayak. Maybe we could get a few of the Ukiah boat racers to try it out:     

The Gator Patch looks like a great option,  but I have a question.
How does it hold up against the grinding/friction (sliding up ramps)? 
I know there is fiberglass between the layers, but that can wear as fast or faster than the hull itself.  I'm curious about using 2 layers of G-patch with steel mesh between for long term protection.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
;0)

The Gator Patch is designed to hold up against grinding/friction so it is very hard. I'm guessing that the fiberglass is added to give it some shatter resistance, and for crack repairs, not to help with abrasion resistance. The company recommends one or more layers depending on the weight of the kayak. Maybe we could get a few of the Ukiah boat racers to try it out:     

Love this... one of my first jobs as a kid was selling programs at Ukiah race track... I remember how loud it was, got my heart pumping!!!


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Hey,

I have a 2019 Outback.  I took it out maybe 3 times and soon realized how burdomsome it was to load and unload without a nose guard, not to mention launches like those at Paradise, which are brutal on noses of boats. 

I watched this video, and with the proper tools, I found it not to be too much of a pain to make, and it ended up costing about $15, and I have the materials to make another 6 guards for free. 

in essence, heat up PVC pipe, mold it, repeat till perfect, trim and paint. Adhere with 2 sided tape. Mines 6 months old other than scratches, which is its function it's perfect.

Took about 4 hours total, heating and cooling and about 5 beers (or waters if that's not your thing).

Didn't take too many photos in between stages but 1st photo is finished product, and the others are after about 20 trips not caring about the nose of the boat.  Really happy with the end result.

End product painted with Flex Seal for no other reason than its tough and doesn't flake, and was on sale. 

Reach out, happy to help on details, but I followed the videos advice plus some practical knowledge.

 
  There ya go! Super simple!  That PVC is tough if Sch 40 doesn't do it for you there's Sch 80 however it may not blend as easily! Don't forget the tail end of the hull as well!

Hi was reading your post on how you did it... I’m using Tapatalk maybe that’s why I don’t see it...  or did you post a thread to the vid the helped you...

Great job on your finished work


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hey,

I have a 2019 Outback.  I took it out maybe 3 times and soon realized how burdomsome it was to load and unload without a nose guard, not to mention launches like those at Paradise, which are brutal on noses of boats. 

I watched this video, and with the proper tools, I found it not to be too much of a pain to make, and it ended up costing about $15, and I have the materials to make another 6 guards for free. 

in essence, heat up PVC pipe, mold it, repeat till perfect, trim and paint. Adhere with 2 sided tape. Mines 6 months old other than scratches, which is its function it's perfect.

Took about 4 hours total, heating and cooling and about 5 beers (or waters if that's not your thing).

Didn't take too many photos in between stages but 1st photo is finished product, and the others are after about 20 trips not caring about the nose of the boat.  Really happy with the end result.

End product painted with Flex Seal for no other reason than its tough and doesn't flake, and was on sale. 

Reach out, happy to help on details, but I followed the videos advice plus some practical knowledge.

This is what I’d like to do with my revo...

Good job...


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... in essence, heat up PVC pipe, mold it, repeat till perfect, trim and paint. ...

Great idea.

I'd be extra careful to avoid the fumes from pvc when heated to the point where it becomes flexible.