Ross,

I have seen a cedar strip kayak with a black rubber "bumper" attached at the tip of the bow. I seem to recall it was cylindrical, a couple of inches in diameter and a couple of inches thick - it looked like it may have begun life as an automotive suspension bushing or something similar.

Don't recall the details of exactly how it was attached. Likewise, I can't comment on how well it worked, but don't know why it wouldn't. A few times since then, I've wished my Cape Charles 18 had a rubber bumper over its nose.

Good luck.

Jeff