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Keel eazy?


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Anyone ever use this stuff? It's a adhesive pad you stick over the keel. I just ordered some. Mostly to protect the rear keel which is getting scuffed pretty good. I kayak alone alot and yes im guilty of dragging my kayak. This stuff really looks awesome for anyone in the same situation.

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I have it on 3 of my boats. I've had decent results with it, but you'll hear some mixed reviews. You absolutely have to install it using a heat gun. As you heat the tape, the adhesive will become a little soft. This will give you the opportunity to work the adhesive out to the edges. The one real downside that I observed is that there is a small gap all the way around the perimeter of the tape that has no adhesive. This can make it easy to catch on rocks as your dragging your kayak and potentially lift the tape.

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I have it on 3 of my boats. I've had decent results with it, but you'll hear some mixed reviews. You absolutely have to install it using a heat gun. As you heat the tape, the adhesive will become a little soft. This will give you the opportunity to work the adhesive out to the edges. The one real downside that I observed is that there is a small gap all the way around the perimeter of the tape that has no adhesive. This can make it easy to catch on rocks as your dragging your kayak and potentially lift the tape.
Did u cut the edges? The tell u to do that first
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Did u cut the edges? The tell u to do that first

 

I tried the stuff when it was out on the market for a short time. There was nothing in the original instructions that I remember about cutting the edges. Totally makes sense. Kind of disappointing that you buy a product with nice straight edges, then have to cut it. :confused: Nothing will be as straight and true as the factory edge.

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Wheels don't help you cross the rocky shore break or the shells and stones in the wash or protect the nose and tail while you stand it up in the parking lot to put it on your car or from piling rash or...

 

Great point Andy! These are some of the reasons why I put it on the keel of my kayaks. I ran a longer piece on the bottom of my DII based on some input on wear areas that others have experienced on the hull. Cheap insurance for the bottom of a fiberglass kayak. If I have to replace the piece every other season, I'm still way ahead of the game.

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Yea, if I had a glass hull, I would abosolutely be ok with the cost (and you could use a thinner strip!). But like barrell alluded to, if it won't stick to a plastic kayak, it's wasted money. If I was to buy a new hull, I would be willing to try it just because of the damage I've sustained from normal use.

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I just installed this on my kayak.



 



Heres a review.



 



I purchased a 3ft strip ($16 w/shipping) and it came in pretty fast.

I cut it in two lengths, 1ft for the back, and 2ft for the front.

The first thing I noticed was the adhesive doesn't extend to the edges. Its just a strip down the middle. In reading, the manufacturer states its because the adhesive when warmed up and worked into position, will spread to the edges.

1000



 



While this didn't pose a problem on the flat or slightly rounded areas, when you reach the bends at the front or back of the kayak it posed a very real problem.

With the severity of the bend it was difficult to work the adhesive to the edges and get it to hold. In the end of attempt #1 I was left with these wrinkles.

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After letting it cool for an hour I went back and tried again. After an hour of heating/working the bend, a couple small slices with a razer, and a couple dabs of super glue, i was able to work out all the wrinkles. Im not 100% satisfied with the result. But if it holds in place (no wrinkles appear) ill be happy.

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1000



 



With the back bend of the yak being almost a 90° angle this proved to be much more difficult than the front. And required about a 3/4in slice in the back end of the tape to overlap to get all the wrinkles out. It resulted in a nice smooth finish, but there is a small "nipple" at the very back.

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Overall the whole process took about 2 hours. Could I do it a little faster having done it once all ready?.. maybe.. If it stays put, and saves my yak from a few dings, it will be well worth the time/$16..

If you got the time and patience to do it, Its well worth the investment.

 


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Never heard of this stuff before Eddyline I recently purchased. Was worried about the ABS plastic holding up to beach landings as well as the polyethylene so I gave it a go. Had the same problems with getting it to lay flat on the edges at the bends (only installed 18" at the bow and stern). But after letting the tape cool and then coming back to it with the heat gun it laid itself nice and smooth. Also, follow the instructions on the site and throw the stuff in your freezer for a couple minutes, it allows the backing to come right off. Cleaning the surface with alcohol is a must and I was told to use nothing but alcohol. So far, so good the stuff seems rock solid and even prevents the boat from slipping on the asphalt when loading on the truck. Hoping it will add a little extra life to the areas I have had trouble with in the past and would really like to know how well it holds on the polyethylene so I can do a few more yaks. 1000

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  • 1 year later...

Hey guys, it's been a year, what is your opinion of the product now? Worth the cost? Still holding up or do you have to replace periodically (how often?)? Thanks.

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