How to prevent exterior damage??

[Seagull6]

I am planning to use my aluminum Starcraft 170 LE in a couple of local resevoirs in New Jersey (Round Valley and Spruce Run) when the weather gets better. <br /><br />Both resevoirs have nice boat ramps, but the surrounding area/beach is crushed stone versus sand. I am concerned about damaging my paint and hull landing the boat on crushed stone and leaving it there while I go up to get the truck and trailer. My fiberglass canoe, which use at those same ramps, has accumulated some major scratches over the years.<br /><br />Are there any products that you can use to protect your aluminum boat from getting scratched up in such circumstances? <br /><br />Chuck Gullage

 

[JB]

Re: How to prevent exterior damage??

Hi, Chuck.<br /><br />Both KeelGuard and KeelShield offer tough keel protection attachments for exactly your problem.<br /><br />Try www.cabelas.com<br />www.keelguard.com<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[crab bait]

Re: How to prevent exterior damage??

also if it's a vee bottom ... the 'keel guard' will work great .. but the boat will eventually fall & rest on its chine.. stuffin' that up too..<br /><br />get some flat<br />aluminum stock at a hardware or boat center.. say 1/8 in thick by 1/2 to 3/4 wide.. cut it up into 4 inch pieces.. then epoxy them to the chine bottom on both sides.. at a spacing that looks & seems rite..<br /><br />they'll act as 'cleats' to rub on..

 

[flashback]

Re: How to prevent exterior damage??

I have used a very heavy piece of fabric, like canvas say about as wide as your boat and 15 feet long and throw it over the bow as you beach the boat..............good luck..........

 

[Seagull6]

Re: How to prevent exterior damage??

Thanks for all of the advice.<br /><br />Will KeelGuard work on aluminum boats with factory (non-antifouling) paint and rivets? I would hate to have to sand all the paint off my keel to apply the product and also I wonder how well the product will adhere to the rivets on my keel.

 

[JB]

Re: How to prevent exterior damage??

Ask them.<br /><br />www.keelguard.com<br /><br />Good luck.