To Keel Strip or not

[dwrgi]

What are the pros and cons of a keel strip?
Does it add weight? increase stiffness? Improve straight line tracking?
Can't decide whether to have one or not advice welcome.

[Graham T]

The keel strip is intended to protect the hull from abrasion. It is the area most likely to come into contact with rocks / stones when the hull is dragged on a beach (heaven forbid).
The best advise I have had is to not have one fitted until the hull has already been part worn away, unless there is a compelling reason to do so i.e. about to go on a long expedition when fitting from new may be expedient.
Yes it will add some weight not sure how much but you are putting on glass resin and gel coat.
Yes in theory it will increase stiffness but that is not the purpose and will be unnoticeable in most cases I suspect

[Mikebelluk]

On my cedar strip boat scratches are more noticeable, and I've found that main keel wear occurs in the two areas I've highlighted in the attached picture.



I measured the amount of epoxy I used to fit a KS recently, which combined with graphite powder, colloidal silica + 5m of 2" fibreglass tape added about 300g to my boats weight, however it isn't as thick as some of the clunky factory fitted ones I see.

I wouldn't bother with one on a fibreglass boat until it was apparent you needed one, or unless you really bash your boat around..

[watt]

I use a self-made strip made of Durastripe Multiflex I got from eBay for a few Euros. Looks good and has already prevented lots of scratches. Easy to remove and renew. Needs just a little hot air to mount.