: I am still thinking about adding a partial keel strip, epoxy/graphite/silica,
: along the keel for extra protection. We'll see if I do that or not.

: Bill H.

Now you have gotten me started on keel strips, rub guards and fixed skegs.

I am a big fan of sacrificial rub stripes on the keel. It is hard to monitor the additive abrasion to the fiberglass on a neat (natural) finished hull. And when wood is exposed to the water a repair requiring glass is necessary. A contrasting stripe down the keel with a little fumed silica (and white or black graphite) thickened epoxy will be an instant indicator when the stripe is worn through and the glass is getting sanded off by beach launches and landings. It is nice to have a little extra built up keel where the front and aft keel get the most abuse.

So here is what I do. I finish my kayak neat then abuse it for a season. During that season trimming the kayak to be wind neutral (without cargo i.e. day paddling) is a priority. If the kayak needs a little trim for weathercocking I add a silica thickened epoxy rub guard, which is really an extension of the keel, on the aft keel. And where I have rubbed though to the wood on the front keel, I sand off some wood and replace it with silica thickened epoxy so not to extend the front keel down. Then some more test paddling in crosswinds to check for weathercocking. If the kayak still weathercocks I add some more aft keel rub strip depth. If it leecocks I sand off some of the aft rub strip. It is a balancing act. More aft keel reduces weathercocking (or increases leecocking) more front keel increases weathercocking (or reduces leecocking). If I have to correct for some excessive weathercocking I would add a skeg (shaped more like a long keel extension). Once I am satisfied with the trim I paint on the contrasting stripe.

Dave Houser