DIY Keel Guard Installation.

Kirk

Active member
I ordered a Keel Guard from Bass Pro about 4 months ago. It has been lying around in the basement every since it arrived. I decided today I would install it. I watched the step by step installation DVD and it seemed easy. The DVD said it would take about 45 minutes to one hour to install. (yeah right)

I got everything set up. Measured the Keel Guard length and then width. Made a template out of flexible cardboard that was 5 inches wide and about 8 inches long and folded it in the middle. (Same width as Keel Guard). I used this template to mark my lines with a dry erase makers so I could tape out the outline for the sanding work. Worked great, taped up the lines and made my out line.</p>

</p>

Keelguardprep.jpg
</p>

</p>

I sanded the area inside the taped area with the 3M pad that was enclosed in the Keel Guard kit. I sanded on that thing for at least an hour to get it where I thought it was right. Then I had to run into Home Depot and buy some Acetone to clean the surface with after sanding. It took probably another 15 minutes of wiping to get the area ready for the 3rd step.</p>

The installation kit included a Primer that had to be applied to the prepared surface. This took another 5 minutes of laying under the boat. The tube contained just enough primer to do the job and not one drop more.it was at this point that I realized that if you raise your knee up while laying under a boat you will hit the trailer rail and it will hurt and you will want to curse. (which I did profusely). I crawled out from under the boat trailer and limped in the house.
</p>

After a few minutes of recovery and bribing I was able to coax my son out of the AC long enough to come help me line it up and install the Keel Guard. It was a son of gun to get lined up. Once I got it straight it was easy to put it on. (At least 30 minutes on this part.)</p>

keelguardon.jpg
</p>

I now have the satisfaction of installing my own Keel Guard. I also have the shoulder pain, neck ache, heart burn and bruised knee to go along with it. I just took two Aleve.
</p>

</p>

</p>

</p>

</p>
 

ditchdoc666

Active member
Good job!! emoToast I put a keel shield on the Ranger a cpl of weeks ago and if it hadnt been for blake and my wifes crayons to mark it ,I would never have gotten it right I feel your pain about being under the boat and the driveway and trailer took it's licks on this old body ,but got it on straight and you will love it,no more worries about beaching boat again. emoThumbsup congrats
 

EricM

New member
Huh - I still have a mark on my forehead.

I'm really hard on 'em too, but I'd hate to see how bad the bottom of my boat would look without one! Actually, I really should cover my entire hull with 'em!

P.S. What is that shine on your fiberglass? I can't remember if mine had that, say, 25 years ago??????
 

samnpatty

New member
Great work ,I think most instructions should include prep time as part of their installation time . Do the instructions say anything about repair if the product comes loose , as i have just purchased a boat with the keel guard peeling off in a 3 or 4 inch area ?
 

Kirk

Active member
The instructions only said that the only way it would come lose is if the adhesive tape tore loose from the plastic. Didn't say a thing about repairing it.
 
Top