Megaware Keel Guard

[The Islander]

Hello Guys,

Just bought my 1st 26m, 2008. Hull is in good shape but plan on using it here in Southwest Florida and mooring a lot near sandbars and small islands.

I see that there are a few keel guards out there. I see that most have purchased the 10' model made by Megaware. It seems some have had problems getting the product to adhere tight against the keel near the front where the hull makes a sharp bend at about 300 degrees.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a different product or a process that would get the 3M adhesive to hold the keel guard flush to the hull with no pockets beneath the product?

Do you think if the plastic product was heated mildly it might conform to the hull better? Maybe placing a few compression clamps along this portion of the hull to reduce the chances of pockets until the 3m adhesive bonds?

Appreciate any suggestions,

Ed

[Herschel]

Ed, I regret to say I do not have any experience with keel guards. But, for the better part of two decades my admiral and I sailed our two Hobie's (first an 18-ft magnum and then 13-ft Wave) all up and down the Florida Southwest coast from Englewood north to Anclote Key. We did take our Mac 26X down the GICW once as well. I do not remember having any hull scaring issues with pulling up on the sandy beaches or sandbars along the gulf shore or ICW. I know there are places that can be a little rough up around Gulfport in the ICW, but I suspect that if you have bottom paint on your M, it should be pretty safe for SW Florida waters. Just my experience and opinion. Welcome aboard; good sailing.

[kmclemore]

Keelguard has been discussed many times here on the forum.... you may want to do a search to learn even more.

[The Islander]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the responses. I plan on using the boat in various waters around the country over the next few years. Some may have shore or island conditions not favorable for an exposed hull with only gel coat.

I searched using the tool adding keel guard and or Megaware as the filter and the system did not return much.

I contacted Megaware today and spoke with Preston. Very helpful. Here is his suggestions based upon the challenges a hull like the Mac 26 poses with a dramatic change between the front and rear portion of the keel. He indicated they have known of puckering in this area of transition when applying their keel guard with the standard primer and adhesive contained below the backing on the product. They have experimented with a few fixes they can suggest but will void their warranty. In my opinion, if the product does not adhere and eventually pulls or tears off it will not be useful. If it creates a large pucker it will create drag. I will move forward with his suggestions that follow.

Purchase the product directly from Megaware. Their product has recently been manufactured and will have the newest adhesives under the removable backing. This makes sense. If a product comes thru Amazon or another vendor it may have been sitting on warehouse shelves for years. Yes you will pay a little more thru Megaware but will be getting a fresh new adhesive.

Lay out the guard without the backing over the transition area of the hull where it goes from flat to angled keel. Make note with markings where the guard will want to pucker. There should be only one or two areas that will pucker. Make a cut perpendicular from the edge of the guard towards the center about an inch in length. Make a two part cut resembling a very small slice of pie meeting at the point about an inch in from the edge. Do this on both sides of the guard. This will allow the guard to lie completely flat against the hull with no overlap of the product.

Purchase a two part epoxy. They recommend West System SIX10. They have used this before with good results.
Apply a small amount of epoxy to the modified area below the cuts you make. Place the guard on using their included tools. After the guard is attached place a small amount of duct tape over the area where the epoxy was applied to help hold the guard down until the epoxy cures in about a day then remove the duct tape.

I asked about adhesion of antifouling paint over their keel guard product. He said it can be applied with proper cleaning with an acetone based product with no sanding required. He indicated that the thickness of the product is 3/16inch. The only real threat to the product is oyster beds. They may make cuts to the product, but if proper adhesion is accomplished the product will not tear off.

Appears I am going to be spending some time under the boat before being in the boat. Hope this helps.

Ed

[kmclemore]

Hey guys,
...
I searched using the tool adding keel guard and or Megaware as the filter and the system did not return much.
...

Try searching with "Keelguard" as one word, since that's how it's marketed.

search.php?keywords=keelguard

[Brian]

Since I installed a Megaware Keel Guard on my 26M five years ago I will answer Islander's questions.

Q1: I see that there are a few keel guards out there. I see that most have purchased the 10' model made by Megaware. It seems some have had problems getting the product to adhere tight against the keel near the front where the hull makes a sharp bend at about 300 degrees.

A1: I did not have any issues with adhesion, or with getting the product to adhere tight against the keel near the front where the hull makes a sharp bend at about 300 degrees.

Q2: Does anyone have a suggestion for a different product or a process that would get the 3M adhesive to hold the keel guard flush to the hull with no pockets beneath the product?

A2: If you follow the 4 basic steps in the instructions when mounting, these things can last a long time.

1. Etch with Scotch-Brite pad.
2. Clean with rubbing alcohol.
3. Prime with 3M Primer wipe.
4. Apply with supplied burnishing tool.

Here is the 12’ KeelGuard mod I posted to this site back in 2019:
https://macgregorsailors.com/mods/index ... em&id=2115

I updated this today with a five year review.

I did not notice a difference in performance after adding the Keel Guard. These things are really tough, and if installed properly do not come loose. If it does, use the lifetime warranty which after five years of hard use I have not had to do.

[Russ]

Are we talking about protecting the keel from beaching or parking lot asphalt?

Honestly, the keelguard seems like a fine product and would do the job for 99.9% of applications.

[The Islander]

Thanks for the responses.

I plan on sailing and motoring my newly acquired 2008 26M from the Manatee River in West Central Florida all the way west up the Mississippi and then into the Arkansas River ending the first leg of my cross country navigation ending in the port of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Then portage at various places along the Arkansas River to the Colorado line. Then portage into the upper portion of Lake Powell in Utah and sail south to my summer home in Southern Utah, very near Lake Powell.

This spring start journey will take me to many mooring and beach spots that may look inviting and smooth but will at many have unexposed rocks just beneath the surface of the sand and or mud.

I am placing one 1/8" thick by 1/4 " by 4' long 316 stainless steel plate along the keel at the bow. Also placing 3 same size plates at the stern along the two stringers that complete the ballast tank edges and one down the middle. All epoxied in with the best then two coats of epoxy then antifoul.

This will enhance the keel and hull in the two most vulnerable areas when mooring or beaching on a nightly basis.

Anyone interested in sailing along, beginning in the spring?

Ed