The previous owner of my 184 apparently had no reservations about beaching the boat wherever he wanted and so she has a few scars. I'm thinking about installing a Keel Shield or something similar but I don't want to do anything to adversely affect the ride or handling of the boat. I'd like to hear the pros/cons from those of you who run or have ran one before I take the plunge.
I have a keel shield on my 176 and it DOES NOT effect the handling or performance of the boat. My keel was tore up pretty bad and had to regelcoat it and such before installing keelshield.Before and after i fixed keel before i added keelshield.
Last edited by Bruce2; 11-24-2017 at 12:03 PM.
Bruce Phillips
1995 190 DC champion ......1995 200 xri merc
No downside. Do it. Money well spent. If you have any fiberglass showing, repair that first or at least fill with Marine Tex before putting on the keel shield.
GETFISHED !!!
It should be out of the water while you on plane you will never notice its there.
If you’re planning on keeping your boat a while get an original Hamby. Nothing else comes close.
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
I agree the Hambys is a tank compared to the other brands.
Agree...I have the original Hamby's....professionally installed. Love it and, as jarhead said, it should be out of the water when you are running. Zero effect on performance/handling!
If you're going to go with a DIY check out the Hamby's Light... Put 2 on myself and are superior to any other DIY bumper... Dan
http://www.hambys.com/light-duty.html
The KeelShield will work great for your rig, and won't adversely affect any handling. It's an easy to install lifetime solution for that keel that's all chewed up.
Have had one on each of my boats for the past 14 years from a chewed up 82 Skeeter, Champ, newer Legends, and now the Tin Tracker without a hiccup. Can't go wrong.
Last edited by NickBarrFishing; 11-25-2017 at 03:18 PM.
2008 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22
Optimax 115
Previous Rigs
2003 Tracker Tournament Pro V-18 - Merc 90
2010 Legend Alpha 199 - Merc 225
2006 Legend LE-186 - Merc 150
1982 Skeeter Starfire - ERude 150
I have been running a Keel Shield for many years and have had one on my boat since 1988. They have a Kevlar version that is even tougher than the standard and goes on just as easily.
I don't know what brand is the best but my boat has had one on it since 2000. Still there and not turning loose. If you fish alone and beach your boat you need something on there for sure.
will only own original hamby's, second to none. Love beached it on ramps and sand, gravel, whatever....no issues.
2020 BassChamps Central Lake Belton 1st - Feb 2
2019 Media Bass Individual Champion - Richland Chambers Sep 7-8
2019 CAST Champions - Sam Rayburn Oct 19-20
2011 BassChamps East Region Champions-Sam Rayburn Oct 1-2
2020 Bullet 21XRS 2020 Mercury 250 ProXS 4 Stroke
Texas Realtor
Helping Texans buy and Sell their Homes
I got a killer deal from one of my buds that is on Keel Shield pro staff so I couldn't turn it down. No issues what so ever. Couldn't beat the price.
Reply With Quote![[SIGPIC][<a href=http://www.bbcboards.net/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=583&dateline=1498828542/SIGPIC] target=_blank>http://www.bbcboards.net/image.php?t...828542/SIGPIC]</a>](image.php?s=683c52dd30d8d228a76823ee4a764a23&u=583&type=sigpic&dateline=1498828542)
