Buyer's Guide
A boat keel guard is a great investment for anyone who owns a boat. They protect the hull of the boat by preventing damage caused by rocks, debris, and other objects hitting the bottom of the boat. This article outlines what you need to know before purchasing a boat keel guard, as well as where to get the best ones available.
Boat keels protect boats from damage caused by rocks and debris while sailing. Boat keels are made up of two parts - the keel and the keel plate. The keel protects the hull of the boat and keeps it stable. The keelplate attaches to the bottom of the keel and provides stability for the boat. Keels come in different shapes and sizes depending on what type of boat you own. There are many types of keels available, including wooden, aluminum, fiberglass, steel, composite, and plastic.
Keels provide stability for your boat, but if left unprotected, they can cause serious damage to your boat. If you don't take care of your boat keel, it could become damaged over time. This will make your boat less safe to sail and more likely to break down. Keels are expensive, so buying a keel guard is an investment in safety. It will save money in the long run because you won't need to replace your keel every year.
Boats are expensive. Not only do they cost money, but they take up space. So, if you have one, you probably spend most of your time keeping it clean and free of damage. But, did you know that boats can actually cause damage to themselves?
The hulls of boats are made of wood. Wood is naturally porous. As such, water can seep through the cracks and crevices in the wood. Over time, this moisture can rot away the wood underneath. When this happens, the boat becomes weaker and eventually sinks.
To prevent this from happening, you can install a boat keel guard. Boat keel guards are designed to protect the bottom of your boat from rotting. They're usually made of plastic and rubber. Some models are designed to fit over the entire length of the boat while others cover only the area around the propeller. Either way, these keel guards will help protect your boat from rotting.
Boat keel guards aren't cheap. However, they're inexpensive compared to replacing your boat. So, if you're worried about protecting your investment, installing a boat keel guard could be a smart move.
Besides preventing rot, boat keel guards can also save you money. Because they protect the bottom of your boat, they reduce wear and tear on the deck. This means that you'll have fewer repairs to make in the future. Also, since they protect the bottom of your boat, they can extend its lifespan. Finally, boat keel guards can increase the value of your boat. After all, nobody wants to sell a damaged boat.
In short, boat keel guards are a must for anyone who owns a boat. Whether you use it for pleasure or business, you'll appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you're protected against rot.
If you have ever owned a boat, then you probably already understand how dangerous it can be to leave your boat unattended. This is especially true if you live near bodies of water like lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. Because boats are so large, they can easily tip over if left alone. When this happens, the boat may sink or capsize. Both scenarios could prove deadly.
To prevent this from happening, many boaters purchase boat keel guards. These devices are designed to keep boats upright by preventing them from tipping over. They do this by keeping the boat from moving forward or backward. Boat keel guards come in different shapes and sizes. For example, some are shaped like a wedge, others are flat, and yet others are curved. Regardless of their shape, most boat keel guards work similarly. They attach to the bottom of the boat and extend up above the surface of the water. This prevents the boat from rolling over.
Boat keel guards are very useful because they protect people who use boats. Whether you are sailing, fishing, swimming, or just enjoying the great outdoors, having a boat keel guard installed is a must. A boat keel guard protects you and other people nearby from falling overboard. It also keeps your boat from sinking or capsizing.
A boat keel guard should never be used as a substitute for proper safety equipment such as life jackets. Lifejackets provide additional protection against drowning. They also offer flotation capabilities. Flotation capabilities are extremely helpful when you fall off your boat. Without them, you would quickly drown.
Although boat keel guards are relatively easy to install, they do take some effort. Then, you'll need to drill holes through the keel and into the deck. Finally, you'll need to secure the boat keel guard to the deck using screws.
Once the installation is complete, you'll want to test the device to ensure that it works properly.
Protecting your boat keel. Boat owners often spend thousands of dollars building their boats. But they don't always think about protecting their investment. That's why many boat owners end up spending more time repairing damage than enjoying their boats.
A keel guard protects against damage caused by rocks hitting the bottom of the hull. Keel guards work by absorbing impact forces and preventing them from being transferred into the boat. This prevents cracks and other types of damage to the keel.
Easy installation. Most keel guards are installed using screws. And most keel guards are made of plastic, so there's no drilling required. Simply remove the old guard, install the new one, and tighten down the screws.
Low maintenance. Once installed, keel guards usually do the job. They protect your boat keel for years without needing additional maintenance. In fact, many keel guards even come with a limited lifetime warranty.
Cost effective. And if you decide to replace your existing keel guard, you can easily order a replacement online.
Customize your keel guard. Some keel guards come standard with pre-cut holes. Others allow you to customize the shape of your keel guard to fit your boat perfectly.
Quality. The quality of a keel guard depends on several factors. These include its material, design, construction, and finish. Make sure you select a keel guard that meets these criteria.
Size matters. While most keel guards come in sizes ranging from 6 inches to 12 inches wide, you may want to consider purchasing a larger keel guard if your boat has a large keel. Larger keel guards absorb more force, which reduces stress on the boat.
Look for a keel guard that fits your boat. Before installing a keel guard, measure your boat's keel. Then compare this measurement to the measurements provided by the manufacturer.
Boat keel guards are a vital part of keeping your boat safe. They protect against damage caused by rocks and debris hitting the hull of your boat. Boat keel guards are also important for preventing damage to the propeller. These are especially useful if you plan on sailing offshore. Here are some of the main types of keel guards available.
Keel Guards. Keel guards are simply a piece of plastic that goes under the keel of your boat. They are attached to the bottom of the boat with screws. Keel guards are cheap and simple to install. These are also effective at protecting your boat’s keel. However, they are not suitable for boats with large keels. For example, they cannot fit underneath boats with keels longer than 6 feet.
Megawares. Megawares are a bit more complex than keel guards. They consist of two parts – a base plate and a cover. The base plate sits under the keel of your boat. It is held in place with screws. The cover fits over the base plate and protects the keel. Megawares are better suited to boats with larger keels. These are also more durable than keel guards. However, they are slightly more expensive than keel guards.
Keeleckels. Keeleckels are a combination of keel guard and keel cap. They combine the benefits of both. Boat Keel Guards are cheaper than keel caps alone and offer protection against rocks and debris. These are also less likely to crack than keel caps alone. Keeleckels are particularly good for boats with small keels. These are also great for boats with short keels. However, they are not recommended for boats with long keels.
Keelecaps. Keelecaps are essentially keel covers. These are made from metal and are shaped differently to traditional keel caps. These are stronger than keel caps and are therefore better suited to boats with large keels. These are also more resistant to corrosion. Keelecaps are also more expensive than keel guards and keel caps.
FAQs
A boat keel guard is a protective device that fits around the bottom edge of your boat's hull. Boat keel guards protect against scratches, dings, and scrapes caused by rocks, debris, and even collisions with other boats.
Boat keel guards were first developed in Japan during World War II. They were designed to protect wooden boats from being damaged by bombs dropped by enemy planes.
Today, most boat owners use boat keel guards to protect their boats from minor bumps and scratches. Many boat manufacturers recommend installing keel guards on all new boats.
No, a boat keel guard will not make your boat more stable. A boat keel guard simply protects your boat's hull from damage.
Yes, a boat keel guard should keep water out of your boat. If you're worried about keeping your boat dry, consider purchasing a waterproofing product like a spray coat or a fiberglass coating.
You'll want to purchase a boat keel guard that has been tested and approved by marine experts. Look for a model that has received a rating of at least 5 stars based on customer reviews.
If you have a fiberglass hulled boat, then you should look into buying a keel guard that features a plastic insert. These types of keel guards are easy to install and they won't scratch or mar your boat's finish.
Absolutely! Boat keel guards are extremely durable and they've been proven to withstand high impact forces. Plus, boat keel guards are completely removable. So, if you ever decide to sell your boat, you can easily take off the keel guard without damaging the rest of your boat.
Yes, you can add another layer of protection to your boat's keel guard. But, don't forget to check the instructions included with your keel guard to ensure that adding another layer doesn't void your warranty.
Yes, you can use a boat keel guard on your trailer. Just remember to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for installation.
In some states, boat keel guards are considered personal property. That means that you own the keel guard and you can do whatever you'd like with it. However, in other states, boat keel guards are classified as vessels and they must adhere to federal regulations regarding vessel safety standards.
First, try tightening the screws that secure the keel guard to your boat. Then, call your local boating store to ask them how to tighten the screws.
Buying a boat keel guard online isn't always a good idea. There are lots of companies selling cheap boat keel guards. Unfortunately, these products aren't manufactured well and they often break after a short amount of time. Also, many of these companies ship their goods directly to consumers. As a result, you could receive a defective product.
