Keel guard length

frigidbass

frigidbass

Cadet
Joined
Dec 20, 2024
Messages
12
Hi,
I have a 1994 17' Challenger Radical One and want to install a keel guard. As I never have had this boat in the water yet, I don't know where the water line sits. The Megaware KeelGuard lists 6' as the length for up to 18' but some reviews mention getting longer. I placed some painters tape ~5" from the ring and measured 6' back. It looks like plenty, but I don't know where the water sits so should I place the keel guard right up to the ring? Does 6' look like enough? Thanks!signal-2025-04-21-110634.jpegsignal-2025-04-21-110634_002.jpeg
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,224
I would run a longer keel guard, especially if you plan on beaching the boat...ever. I suggest at least 8 feet based on your pics. just aft of the keel roller on the trailer, then adjust the keel roller

I ran a 10' on my 19 foot searay because I did pull up onto the sandbar
 
Captain Caveman

Captain Caveman

Ensign
Joined
Mar 1, 2005
Messages
958
frigidbass said:
I assume as a new boat owner that I will make mistakes and damage it.
Click to expand...
You will make mistakes and damage it, but Murphy's Law says that whatever preventative measurers you install will not be protect from the mistakes that you actually make. You will likely hit a submerged rock, bang into a dock, forget to put in the boat plug, etc.

I've never had a keel guard, but then again my main boat is aluminum. I've rammed it through and on top of ice, up on sandy/muddy shores, and nudged it in between rocks. With fiberglass you need to be smarter.
 
JimS123

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
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Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,234
I've been beaching on sand bars for over 50 years. The gelcoat where it hits the beach is all scratched up and "sanded", but the damage is only cosmetic, and not readily visible. I know that if I ever hit a rock I would not be so lucky to have it hit the keel. And if it did it would probably rip the guard off.

If you decide to install one it needs to be on the bottom and slightly forward. In other words, at the location where the keel would contact the beach. And of course any rollers should be aft of the guard. It's not likely that the stem will hit anything, so that portion needs no guard.

My own philosophy was that I would put one on only AFTER I hit something, and then basically to cover the damage.
 
JASinIL2006

JASinIL2006

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
5,713
We beach quite often and I put on one that a bit longer than recommended, so I'd agree with @Scott Danforth in post #4.

The keelguard does a great job of protecting against sand scuffs. Even better, we hit a rock ledge at our lake in Ontario (water was unusually low last year) at slow speed and the keelguard was slightly damaged, but it took the force of the blow and protected the fiberglass. I was pretty impressed with the protection it offered.
 
F

froggy1150

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 3, 2017
Messages
859
The front of the guard must be above the waterline when moving or it will peel off no mater how well you stick it. Then down past where your boat contacts beach. Plus it cannot be stored sitting on rollers or it will deform
 
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