How to Make the Best Keel Guard (KYDEX)
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- čas přidán 9. 09. 2024
- I've spent a long time trying different keel guard solutions. Some were too temporary, others too expensive, and some were just not aesthetically pleasing. To keep you from all the trial and error I went through, I put together a step by step video to make your own custom keel guard that will only take a few minutes and won't break the bank. Hope this helps! To secure it to the kayak, I've found Marine Goop works very well. And yes...if you can turn the vessel upside down, that'll work to your advantage. In my case, there was just too much stuff mounted to the top and it was easier just to work on it while on the hoist.
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I heated a small strip and bent it, then cut it to the shape I want, then reheat and slapped mine on it.
It was like butter. Looks good bro
awesome, glad it worked for ya!
Well, I now know what I'll be doing this weekend. Great idea and video...thanks mate.
Thanks from another Marylander kayaker
Just made a couple perfect keel guards for my Hobie compasses! Thanks for letting everyone in on this tip!
I used .08 size in grey - there are so many colors available! Being thicker I had to use a rotary tool to cut it into shape and the dremel sanding bit to finish it. Super strong and much better than pvc in terms of durability and scratch resistance. Also doesn’t have those burn marks and can take a lot of heat without damaging it
If only there was some way to have gravity assist you... Haha
I kid, great video... I already hit up Amazon for a 4 pack.
Our LL:
1. We used a Dremel type tool to bevel the ages so there would be less drag, less chance of something like grass catching the edges,
2. We found Kydex in a black carbon fiber pattern that made the aesthetics more palatable on a black carbon fiber canoe-FYI,
3. Our application was a carbon/Kevlar (aramid) canoe so we decided to use 2 sided tape, however the tape is too thick; I wish we could find something thinner and water proof. We did not want to use glue due to our concern that we would never be able to replace it given the carbon/Kevlar construction of the canoe.
I sure appreciate the Alan's ingenuity!
Good tip on the tape v glue.
Think im gonna make one for my kayak now. Thank you for the step by step. Tight lines
You're welcome! If you have any issues, send a message and I'll help if needed. Enjoy your new hull guard :-)
Brilliant. I've been looking for a solution like this. Thanks for the tutorial.
Just checked Grainger sells the sheets for $ 4.43 ,, 12" X 12" going to pick up tomorrow. Thanks for the video
Hey Stephen I’m having trouble locating this pack tried all the numbers on that pack he shows but still no lock can you share how you found it?? Thanks
1 of few videos that gave me insight into how much you can cook kydex. Other ideas are to be kept in mind if it fits your situation
Well done, looks great, clean and easy install
Thanks for the video!!!, your job does look professional. I just formed one from the thin wall pvc pipe, not near that easy to work with, still turned out pretty good, if I do another I will use the Kydex! Sure would have been easier though with your boat upside down on sawhorses... Thanks again!! W
After a couple decades of wanting to have a fishing kayak, the day has finally come and I want to protect "my precious" as much as possible, lol. However, how much is really needed and where, and how much would make me look like a lunatic, lol? I could cover the entire bottom of the boat with kydex for the ultimate protection, lol.
Do you think you can make a video sharing your thoughts on how much keel/hull protection is really needed, and if there are other areas of the hull which could use a small panel of kydex protection too?
Nice work. It definitely looks better than the PVC versions for sure. It's just no where close to being as effective. 60 mil is 1/16" thick whereas schedule 40 PVC is about 1/4" thick.
Good job
Good video to the point!
Nice video thanks for sharing!!!! Do you even think to do the same with a metal sheet (aluminum or stainless steel)????
This could stay there FOR EVER!!! No very thick lets say 0.5 - 1 mm no more ....
Have good time every time!!!
Best regards from Hellas (Greece)
Great Idea! Would recommend you install some LED lights and work with your kayak upside down.... thx
I've got too much stuff mounted to the top of this one that I didn't want to take it all off for the few minutes it'd take to work on the hoist.
Nice job , cutting would be easier on bandsaw or scroll saw . Upside down on saw horses too . Great info thanks
I’m just going to use my Grand kids magic carpets that they don’t use anymore. I’m sure they will work fine. Cheers 🇨🇦👍
What adhesive did you use to attach the guard to the kayak?
Marine Goop
I'd be afraid to heat that up against my HDPE Outback. You could melt the surface of the kayak no?
Very good tutorial.
Might be baby steps to some, but I've never done complex forming so it helped me!
Its NOT 60MM THICK.
Its .06.
Might invest in actual video lighting.
0.060" is commonly pronounced "sixty mil," which does not infer MM. You could also say sixty "thou" or thousandths. Both are common vernacular, but I can see where it can be slightly confusing.
My mistake, thought you said mm
What do you use to glue the guard on to the canoe ?
Marine Goop
How does it affect tracking and glide
What do you use to hold the keel guard to the kayak after it is molded
Marine Goop
@@kayakangler Thank!
Ok all you guys are hearing these up on a rotomold boat. What about a Eddyline boat which is a PVC vacuum formed hull. You might melt the hull with a heat gum so close, any thoughts.
I like this idea. It appears you have used this for a while. How often do you need to replace? How hard are you on it? Dragging down Concrete ramps for the last 4 feet? How hard is the marine goop to get off when you need to replace? Thanks got the great step by step.
I would never drag my kayaks that far. This is for landing on boat ramps and the incidental dragging that occurs. The marine goop is tenacious but can be sheared off with a putty knife.
how many millimeters is this kydex sheet?
Thanks 🇨🇦👍
Seems like it would work better in the water than a pvc one.
I've been searching for something like this for a while. This looks like a really nice solution. How long have you been using it on your Outback? I'm curious how much use you can get out of it. Did you have to rough up the area before you glued it down with marine goop?
It'll last a long time, maybe the life of the yak. You don't need to rough up the area, just clean it.
Thank you for your video. I just ordered these sheets and wondering if you have a follow up if theres any signs of cracking or if its holding up well. Tight lines
Just scuffs as one would expect. No signs of cracking, peeling or coming off. It's been really good.
Where can I get a template for my kayak Old town sportsman 120 PDL
What power heat gun do you use? What temperature setting?
Just a quick question: does the kydex side to kayak matter? Or is either side OK? I've got a scroller saw I plan to use to cut the Kydex, with a little bevel edge.
Oops. Just read the same q and got the reply. Thanks.
Does it matter as to which side of the Kydex to use, or is it the same texture on both sides???
Great video.
One side is a little different than the other, but I don't think it matters. The marine goop will adhere well to either side. Thanks!
Have u replaced it yet? Or is it working still? Great tutorial thanks
Same one!
Great idea Alan. I’ve been looking at options for a keel guard. Did you secure it with double sided tape?
I ended up using Marine Goop, which worked really well and is what I recommend.
Gotcha. How long before you think you need to replace it?
@@mccray44 not sure, but I'd measure it in years. Of course it depends on how rough you are with it.
Good deal. Thanks for responding and see you on the water!
Alan Battista if keel guard Has’s to be replaced how hard would it be to get marine goop off?
What are you using to attach the keel guard to the kayak?
Marine Goop. Put enough on so it starts to squeeze out around the perimeter of the guard. Wipe it with a paper towel to create a nice fillet around the edge. Tape it in place for a day with gorilla tape until the goop cures.
@@kayakangler If you have to replace keel Guard again how hard is it to remove marine Goop?
paper doll??? that's a mini paddle
What thickness kydex? I have sheet of .125", will that work?
I used half that thickness. I'm sure that would work, but may be just a little harder to work with.
I just received my .093 kydex, and have been considering using marine goop to adhere it to my polyethylene Lure 11.5 V2 kayak. Did I hear you correctly that you use marine Goop, and how well does it hold it onto the kayak? Any issues to be aware of?
I have the 13.5 lure did you get it to adhere secured properly?
@@duck7927 Yes. I used "Amazing Goop, "Marine"" and it's working without any issues.
@@Musicalpa thank you for getting back so fast. I just ordered a bottle of the stuff.
@@duck7927 Bottle? It should be in a tube. Here is a link to what I used, however, I now see there is a 10oz tube to use in a caulk gun that I wish I used, as the tube is challenging to work with and a caulk gun would be much easier.
Amazing GOOP 170011 Marine Adhesive, 3.7 Fluid Ounces a.co/d/dsKo78h
What width did you cut the kydex for your bow keel guard?
3-4" will do Cut out a paper version first to verify the fit.
What is the width at the widest part of the keel guard ? Looks like 3-4 inches. Thanks
I get 3 per 12" sheet, so 4" wide.
Thank you sir ! I'm going to make one for my Old Town.
Thinking about doing this.... After looking around online though was wondering if there's a reason why you chose kydek V? Wouldn't kydek T or kydek 100 be better? Or maybe even boltaron?
Just wondering if you found out which kydex sheet was better
@@philipdean5950 from looking online I would choose either kydek T or the boltaron, preferably boltaron. Just from looking on holster forums boltaron is said to be more scratch resistant over time compared to kydek T. I also came across a chart on Google with all the different types of kydek. I'd love to get my hands on kydek 100 but it's expensive and I can only find it 4ft by 8ft sheets online. It's pretty much the stuff hospitals make their room signs out of... I ended up getting the same kydek v that the guy in the video got only I got .08 instead of .06, idk if tin snips with cut it but I have a scoll saw so I should be good.
I haven't installed it yet though or even cut it out, been working 6 days a week since summer...
Nice video ?how has it worked out ?
One year later still awesome.
Yea thanks nice job but no link provided where to buy that sheet. 👎 thanks anyways now I’ll do a research on where to get it. And at the end when you’re showing the guard your spot light just flooded out the view. Again nice job
ALAN. Excellent Video. I will however have to try and find a supplier in Melbourne Australia. I have a Point 65 Modular Kayak ( Tandem ) but I would run this material along its length. Any idea how much a larger sheet would cost. Also I found it painful watching you work on your Kayak. ( due to a frozen shoulder , ). Not easier having the Kayak upside ..? A great Video thanks
Hey Tony, yes it would be way easier if you could turn your kayak up side down. This particular model is a Solo Skiff, which is a bit heavy, but more so, I have so much stuff mounted to the top of the deck that it would have taken me longer to undo all of it than to work on it on the hoist :-) As far as a large sheet, I'm sure it's made, but I've never seen it. That would be pretty nice if you can come across one! Let me know if you do, thanks!
How do you attach it when finished?
Marine Goop worked very well for me.
What do you use to hold it to canoe???
Marine Goop works very well.
Where did you get the template
It's my own design. I saw a use for this material in the kayak world and figured I'd put it out there to help the next yakker put on a professional product. It's not too hard, just a 12" x 4" rectangle with a relief at the curve. You can customize for any yak or other application needing a rub guard.
Where did buy the kydex
Amazon
How's the durability been now that it's been 6 months,
It's been perfect. It hasn't worn through, or even close. I think I'll get quite a few years out of it.
Great video, what Kydex thickness are you using here?
Thanks! It's the .060" thick. Check out the 2:40 mark on the video and it shows the exact part number if you need it.
Why don’t put your kayak opposite, instead of of looking up, much better looking down it’s bad for your neck
Best keel guard and they last forever
Why are you working against gravity? Working upside down had to be frustrating. Take it down and work flat. Good job other then that.
The position of the kayak is totally rong....
It’s a good idea of course but why in the world would you want to work upside down man. Flipping that boat over and let gravity work would be like so much better.
half a vid ................ sticking it ???????????
marine goop
Put enough on so it starts to squeeze out around the perimeter of the guard. Wipe it with a paper towel to create a nice fillet around the edge. Tape it in place for a day with gorilla tape until the goop cures.
Too much light
PVC is waaaaay better than Kydex
Heat it, form it, adhere it...just like you do with Kydex.
cut a 2" piece the long way. It'll give you a 4" keel guard and cut the pipe at whatever length you choose.
Not to mention it may cost you nothing since you probably have some laying around.
If not, spend a whole 5 bucks somewhere.
...and if you dont want a white keel guard....paint it.
How do you like your PVC one?
What do you use to attach it to the hull?
Marine Goop
How did you attach it to the skiff??
marine goop
Alan Battista awesome thanks