I had a tech-5 keel guard (different than the current Megaware Keelguard) that has come off my boat. It was a dealer install 13 years ago and has done a great job but I hate to throw it out because it is still in decent condition. It was attached with what appears to be a foam adhesive and it primarly seperated from the guard and not the hull. Anyone been able to re-attach a guard sucessfully?

I've never had to do it, but if faced with this, I would use Marine-Tex or 3M� Marine Adhesive/Sealant 5200..

5200 Sealent--they have different colors...

It won't last. Trust me on this as I've tried a couple times.

I had my best work come undone within a 6 month period. That was with using a mini trowel to spread the 5200 evenly and then putting a bead on the outside edge of the keelguard.

Ok... what did you do, replace it...

but he did say.." but I hate to throw it out" so might give it a try..
13 yrs and 6 months ain't bad..

What cowtown is describing as his problem is the same as on all of the keelguards I have seen. I have had two of them come off. The hard plastic keelguard has a closed cell foam backing that has the 3m adhesive to adhere to the fiberglass. The problem I have seen both times was that it came loose between the plastic and the foam. The 3M adhesive did not come off.

In talking with Roger Sutterfield of Hamby's, he told me that a certain number of theirs and all keelguards would have a small failure rate because of the bond between the two pieces.

I did end up pulling the old keelguard off and put a new one on. Both times.

The latest was a Hamby's and it was white. I was told they had a number of failures with the white ones so they no longer sell or make them.


By the way, the best tool to use to remove the old adhesive is a pin stripe removal tool. I heard that one in reading from several others that did it.
My own experience was with a heat gun and a 3 inch taping knife.

I struggled for quite a while trying to reattach the last 2 feet of mine when it came loose. A friend is a chemist for Loctite and he sent me the best stuff that they make. It only worked for a few months.

I called the mfg and they gave me a break on a new one. I pulled the old one off and used a heat gun on the residue. A final clean up with acetone and I put the new one on.

Just get a new one and replace it. That adhesive that you can buy is a pain in the A$$. You would have to hold it up on the boat, wipe the excess away, etc. I know most of them are lifetime guaranteed, but that doesn't include the adhesive. I think you will be much happier and use a lot less effort by just replacing it.

Is it the older ones that the problems are with?

Yea, I was afraid a new one was the only answer. 13 years is definately acceptable service life for any product that is the "point of the spear" and if I get half that out of my next one it will be OK. Looks like I can get a new KeelGuard for about $200.

Just be sure that you get the area very very clean and rough it up with a scotch brite pad is necessary. Clean very good with acetone and you will be good to go. They aren't hard to install.

go to www.lowcostboating.com

I got a 7' black one for $115. They are in Bryan and an absolute pleasure to deal with.

The back 4" of mine came loose and I used 3M 5200 and it has been at least 2 years with no problems. I built a form in a V shape and used a rachet strap around the boat to secure it. I let it cure for at least 5 days.