An extra layer of glass on the keel can act as an abrasion strip. It will get stratched and dinged, but that is what it is there for. You could look into some different kinds of cloth such as polyester of dynel. They are more abrasion resistant, but this means you can't sand them smooth.

> Well, in most of 24 hours on the CLC site, this question got no takers, so
> I'm sticking it here, slightly edited, to see if I can get some opinions.

> I'm at a phase in the finishing of my North Bay where it would be
> relatively easy to add some sort of abrasion strip to the keel line, and
> I'm looking for ideas. Not sure why, but I've already dinged the 'glass a
> couple of times just taking the boat out of the garage to the driveway for
> sanding, and I'm concerned that it has taken some gouges already. Was
> thinking about either 'glass or possibly Kevlar tape, and could do just
> the ends or the entire keel.

> This is the best time for add-ons. Hope to be painting next week, latest.
> The boat is still only 46 pounds, even with all the extra after deck
> frames and carlins, foredeck supports, and the Henderson foot pump, so
> another bunch of ounces isn't going to hurt.

> Thoughts? Thanks!

> Jack Martin