I've used both and haven't decided which I like better. The Yakima are probably made better than the plastic Keepers, but the aluminum can really get jammed up good with sand. Be sure to mount the drainage slots down so they have a better chance of cleaning themselves out.

The Keepers have a shape which is less likely to get clogged with sand and even if they do, you can usually force them. However, I once had the foot bracket pop off while surfing. The plastic just flexed off the rail and left me with nothing to push against. Nothing was broken, the brace slid right back on and was no worse for wear..

So neither is completely free from problems: Yakimas can jam almost permanently with sand, Keepers can give way at in-opportune times.

: Received my Yakima 14" footbraces yesterday, and they seem rather heavy
: to me. Nicely made, but probably overbuilt for the intended use. They
: weigh in at over 1.2 lbs . . . That's probably my coaming plus the two
: fiberglass hatch lips combined.

: After drilling out the threads for the through-holes. I'll also have to mill
: away a part of the channel to be able to fit in screwheads at the mount
: locations for non-through-hull mounting. Are y'all sure this is the
: footbrace you like the best?

: Best Regards, Spidey