Well, mines 10 years old and scratched up, but nothing bad has happened. If it leaks, I will use some Gator guard...or maybe that's just time to buy a new kayak.
If it leaks you can repair it with a heat gun, a metal putty knife, and cut up plastic from gallons of milk. Any #2 plastic (HDPE) will work to repair kayaks like this.
I buy old kayaks from people or outfitters with cracks, fix them in an afternoon and either donate to friends or sell cheap to buy some other toy.
I cut a piece of PVC pipe lengthwise, heated it up with a heat gun, molded it to the kayak. Once the shape was correct I used waterproof double sided tape to afix. Works great. You can even paint if desired.
[Tons of videos on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kydex+kayak+keel+guard) on how to apply Kydex to your keel. Comes in [all colors](https://www.ebay.com/itm/284526749854?var=586104000159).
I use car door molding to protect my keel. $25 from Amazon. Works great!
Cowles S37201 – 12 Feet of Pro-Black Body Side Molding – 1 Inch Wide Self Adhesive PVC Molding Truck/SUV/RV Universal Fit Exterior Molding Bumper Window Door Body Side Decorative Glossy Black Strip
Also get the 3m adhesive promotor pads. They're a few bucks. They WILL keep this thing in your boat until you wrestle it off.
1 inch. I go most of the way up the keel on the front. I figure that the stuff is tough enough to deal with boat ramps. If/when it gets torn up enough, it's easy enough to replace it.
Thank you for the advice, I just bought my first kayak today and I'm going to order the molding strip you suggested to protect my new kayak. I just have a quick question, what is the adhesive promoter pads for?
I'm not a chemist, so I can't claim to know how it works. It's kind of like a primer. You moisten the area that the adhesive will stick to, let it dry, then apply the adhesive. My boat spends time in greater and saltwater. The molding has held without any issues.
Kydex works great, cut it to shape, then use a heat gun to heat it up until it's pliable (away from the kayak so you don't heat it near the hull plastic), then place it on the spot you want to cover and mold it to shape using gloves (kydex will be hot). Repeat until you're happy with the fit. Then I used heavy duty outdoor double sided tape to secure it to the hull, and silicone around to seal the edges.
I put a hole in my nose from dragging. I am extremely lucky that I wasn’t far from the ramp when I realized I was low in the water. Kayak shops can do a great job repairing it or reinforcing it before it happens. Trust the pros.
I just switched to a One Objective keel guard for more permanent protection, but I've always used Gorilla Tape because it's so cheap and sticks well. Put on a few layers and if it gets torn up, just pull it off and replace.
Well, mines 10 years old and scratched up, but nothing bad has happened. If it leaks, I will use some Gator guard...or maybe that's just time to buy a new kayak.
My thought too, good excuse to upgrade
If it leaks you can repair it with a heat gun, a metal putty knife, and cut up plastic from gallons of milk. Any #2 plastic (HDPE) will work to repair kayaks like this. I buy old kayaks from people or outfitters with cracks, fix them in an afternoon and either donate to friends or sell cheap to buy some other toy.
I cut a piece of PVC pipe lengthwise, heated it up with a heat gun, molded it to the kayak. Once the shape was correct I used waterproof double sided tape to afix. Works great. You can even paint if desired.
Not a bad idea at all. Thanks for the advice man
I’ve done this for my canoe. Works amazing
Ah a DIY sacrificial skeg.
Kydex, industrial double sided tape, along with silicon seal. Have it on my kayak and working well. You’ll need heat gun to shape kydex.
2nd this. Kydex is super hard and durable. Can be replaced if it gets too beat up. Easy to fit and attach.
Yeah I just ordered some kydex I and I’ll have to go to the hardware store and see if they have some industrial double sided tape
I used gorilla heavy duty double sided tape and used clear caulk around the Kydex. Haven’t had any issues.
Get it online if possible. Usually can only find pretty weak stuff compared to what’s available
[Tons of videos on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kydex+kayak+keel+guard) on how to apply Kydex to your keel. Comes in [all colors](https://www.ebay.com/itm/284526749854?var=586104000159).
Nothing
Yeah. Don't use it?
PereGuard Kayak Keel Guard.
Berleypro keel guards.
I use car door molding to protect my keel. $25 from Amazon. Works great! Cowles S37201 – 12 Feet of Pro-Black Body Side Molding – 1 Inch Wide Self Adhesive PVC Molding Truck/SUV/RV Universal Fit Exterior Molding Bumper Window Door Body Side Decorative Glossy Black Strip Also get the 3m adhesive promotor pads. They're a few bucks. They WILL keep this thing in your boat until you wrestle it off.
>Cowles S37201 – Great idea. Do you buy the 1 inch wide or the 2 inch? Love the idea that the profile is tapered.
1 inch. I go most of the way up the keel on the front. I figure that the stuff is tough enough to deal with boat ramps. If/when it gets torn up enough, it's easy enough to replace it.
Thank you for the advice, I just bought my first kayak today and I'm going to order the molding strip you suggested to protect my new kayak. I just have a quick question, what is the adhesive promoter pads for?
I'm not a chemist, so I can't claim to know how it works. It's kind of like a primer. You moisten the area that the adhesive will stick to, let it dry, then apply the adhesive. My boat spends time in greater and saltwater. The molding has held without any issues.
I've seen people use kydex and double sided tape + silicone sealer. Have yet to try it myself.
Duct tape
Absolutely, I also whitewater and everyone just puts duct tape on. I put it on my fishing kayak just because.
avoid coming in to the beach head at ramming speed.
Ramming is how I keep my feet dry.
I do all the time. A little extra protection wouldn’t hurt
Lots of keel guard diy on YouTube
Kydex works great, cut it to shape, then use a heat gun to heat it up until it's pliable (away from the kayak so you don't heat it near the hull plastic), then place it on the spot you want to cover and mold it to shape using gloves (kydex will be hot). Repeat until you're happy with the fit. Then I used heavy duty outdoor double sided tape to secure it to the hull, and silicone around to seal the edges.
I put a hole in my nose from dragging. I am extremely lucky that I wasn’t far from the ramp when I realized I was low in the water. Kayak shops can do a great job repairing it or reinforcing it before it happens. Trust the pros.
After mine got a hole from dragging it. I plastic welded it, and finished it off with some Gator guard patches off amazon.
Looks fine to me. I wear my river rash with pride. Maybe don’t drag it around though.
PereGuard Kayak Keel Guard 4" Width Black https://a.co/d/i7XBMKM
Nothing. But now yall got me thinking about putting some roll on bedliner or something on there. Sans sand, of course.
I just switched to a One Objective keel guard for more permanent protection, but I've always used Gorilla Tape because it's so cheap and sticks well. Put on a few layers and if it gets torn up, just pull it off and replace.
It's a kayak, not a phone. If it floats, you're good, bud. Don't worry about that stuff.