Does anyone recommend a keel guard or place to install them around or near Allen Park (SE Mich)? I've heard hamby's is real good and i've also heard they can be tough to install if you never have. Any thoughts?
i did mine. maybe not perfect, but if you think its fine ill do yours with you
What kind? How much was it? I've seen them really range. I've also see the size (thickness) vary. I just wonder how thinck it needs to be.
I honestly don't remember. I got the long white one at bass pro. It was fairly easy. The warmer the easier to flex it. I do have a small gap where there is a groove in the hull. I put some silicone in that spot
The professionally installed Hamby's are great, IMHO, though it's been 10 years since I had my last one installed. I've had them on my last three boats and they are really nice - espeically in the early spring and late fall when you have to beach on concrete ramps or rocky shorelines. Mine's been beached many times on concrete and riprap and hardly has a scuff mark. You can find an installer on their MI dealer page (http://www.hambys.com/dealers_states.php?state_id=29).
Their "lite" model, from what I've seen, is pretty much the same as the ones you find on BassPro and Cabelas, though. If you want to self-install, it would probably be more economical to go with the BPS version.
I have a Megaware Keel Guard. Put it on myself 4 years ago and it shows no signs of coming off, and I use my boat a lot. I even drive it up onto boat ramps if I'm by myself and it still looks great.
As was stated, if it's nice and warm out they a much easier to install. Also, follow the directions, and a second set of hands is a good thing. Buy a buddy some pizza and beer and have him help.
You can install a Keelguard yourself pretty easy....I had on on my Bass Cat Jag and it lasted for years...
The trick is to take your time prepping the keel to insure the keelguard adheres to the hull..