Keel Guard on an Aluminum Boat

[12VoltMan]

Has anyone ever put a keel guard on an aluminum boat?

[bob46]

You will hard pressed to get anything to stick to the aluminum I do know that marine epoxy I believe it is called 5400 sticks I looked long and hard last year to do this also but I never did the keel on a aluminum boat has a lot of ins and outs its usually not smooth like a fiberglass. 5400 takes a week to cure I know it works sealed all of the rivets on my boat held up great

["The Man"]

Could you use BJ Weld?

[kstonich]

Have you tried doing a search here, as I remember there were several threads . Someone even posted that they took their boat and had Linex spray one on.

[R19]

I helped a friend of mine install one an an Express aluminum boat a few years ago. He ran it for 2-3 years and sold the boat. During the time he had it he experienced no issues. I am about 75% sure it was a keel guard made by a company called Keelshield. It may have been another brand but that is what I think we installed.

There is a few helpful tip to installing a keel guard... If it's cold outside the keel guard is more rigid and difficult to hold in place. I recommend you do it on a sunny day when the temperature is above 75*. Unroll it a let it lay out in the direct sunlight for a couple of hours before you even start the install. The heat from the sun will soften the rubber and make it more easy to work with. Plus I feel like the adhesive compound will cure better in warm weather versus cold weather. Preparation of the hull is key. Read and follow the directions on how to prepare the hull if you want to have a good bond. Most do it yourself installs say its a 1-2 hour job from start to finish. I take a little longer because I know that preparing the area is key to having a good bond...plus the longer I take the more cold beverages I can consume.

[Tacklebag23]

I recommend you contact the manufacturer of the keel guard. Its my understanding it depends on the design of the keel more than the Aluminum. May not be suitable for some Aluminum boats with raised reinforced rib design