www.iFourWinns.com

I beached my boat over the weekend at Parker Strip, AZ and received some abrasion along the keel. It appears that with the constant "rocking" of the boat, the waves in conjunction with the sand wore through the gel coat and paint exposing a darker material (fiberglass (?)). The area is relatively small (~1 foot along the keel) and is probably less than 1mm think. One thing I've noticed about Four Winns is that the boats are extremely think....I looked at some older boats in the area and noticed that many of them had this same type of abrasion along there entire length. I think it is safe to say that I will minimize the amount of time (if any) that the boat is beached. Is this something that should be repaired or is it strictly cosmetic?

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Matt-

2007 Four Winns H190
Earth First, We'll Mine the Other Planets Later

Sounds like you wore through the gel coat. I'd definitely get it repaired. Then, if you want to beach it like that, consider a Keel Guard.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Here's one such offering:

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/pc/MKI-102A6///Megaware+Self+Adhesive+Polymer+%22Keel+Guard%22.html

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Thanks for the link. Will look into it. Don't know whats uglier....the abrasion or the keel guard?

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Matt-

2007 Four Winns H190
Earth First, We'll Mine the Other Planets Later

There are different colors listed on the link Jim supplied, white is available so you never would know it's there.

I would definitely repair though before using it again.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

I made the same mistake with my waverunner the first couple of years I owned it. WILL NOT, I repeat, WILL NOT be making that mistake again. It messed up the underside of the waverunner pretty good. The boat will be floating in water, on a lift or on the trailer. No beaching of the boat, never ever, ever, no. Sorry, but I'm kicking myself for doing it to the waverunner and thankfully have learned my lesson before purchasing this beautiful new boat. I would agree on getting it fixed asap and then keep the underside away from the shore. Keel guard only protects that line down the center of the boat. It will not protect the rest of the underside as it rocks back and forth from the waves, etc. So you will still get dings and scratches from the rocks, sand and whatever else. Just my 2 cents.

David

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

Yeah I didn't want to be so blunt, knowing that beaching is one of the favored activities for a lot of folks. But you'll see pigs fly before you see my boat parked on sand - one of the best abrasives known to Mankind.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Its not that sand isnt a formidable abbraive, but I didnt realize the sand would wear on the gelcoat that fast.

How well do the keel guards work?

where as I dont expect to beach the boat that often, on the Wisconson river segment we are on, one of the favored things to do by many is to find the nice sand bar area and go swimming off that area, especially when you have small children.

I had been thinking about the keel guards as an extra precaution, but looks like its going to be mandatory.

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2008 H210:
- Two tone Navy Blue, Silver and Yellow
- 5.0GXi/SX 270hp
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 5.9 Laramie

I installed the keel guard myself last year and think it works great for what it is supposed to do. I take my boat to a large lake in Eastern Washington that has great sandy areas to pull up to and swim.

I have beached my boat many times since and the keel guard as worked great so far.....

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2006, 220 Horizon
Kent, WA.
"Semper Fidelis"

Is it an option to anchor just off the bank? Just curious. I've often wondered what I'd do myself if I had the unexpected opportunity to stop someplace.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

How hard is the keel guard to install? Self adhesive? Any problems with it pealing away from he hull?

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Matt-

2007 Four Winns H190
Earth First, We'll Mine the Other Planets Later

Several people who have tried to do it themselves have recommended that you let a dealer or someone experienced do it. To me it doesn't look that hard, but there must be something tricky about it, because those opinions have been pretty consistent.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Having installed one myself...I would disagree. I am by no means...mechanically inclined, but I am able to follow simple instructions. On a warm Saturday last summer, I drove my boat to the local high school parking lot and followed the simple, step by step instructions that came with my keel guard package. It took me no more than an hour with the help of my teenage son. In that time, I prepped the keel area with the package contents, and carefully followed the instructions for the actual application of the guard.

part of the "prep" is to have your unrolled keep guard lay over your bow or an area with plenty of sunlight to "warm" the keel guard to make it more pliable and easier to handle during install.

Once you've prepped the keel....you apply the keel guard one foot at a time....carefully removing the backing as you go.....trust me....it was not as difficult as you would think. I was very nervous attempting this myself, but after I was done I realized it wasn't that difficult. Anyway, after a full summer with it on my keel it is still on solid with no signs of peeling or wear, and I used my boat plenty last summer.

A good friend of mine was so impressed with my job, that he bought one for his new 240-H and he asked me to help him install it on his boat. Again, it took us about an hour and we did just fine.....just make sure you have a good "creeper" to lay on while you work under your keel, or lift it. The key is to take your time and have all the required things the instructions tell you to have.

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2006, 220 Horizon
Kent, WA.
"Semper Fidelis"

law950 ,

you wouldnt happen to have a close up picture of the keel guard as installed on your boat, would you?

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2008 H210:
- Two tone Navy Blue, Silver and Yellow
- 5.0GXi/SX 270hp
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 5.9 Laramie

No I don't....but I can. I will try and post one very soon....

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2006, 220 Horizon
Kent, WA.
"Semper Fidelis"