Video · DIY Builds & Mods
Gator Guard: Kayak Keel Protection and Hull Repair Test
I test Gator Guard, a UV curing fiberglass patch, as a keel guard on my kayak and as a fix for hull damage and cracks.
What’s in this video
I found Gator Guard at ICAST 2017 and asked for samples. I’d been looking for something like it, because other keel protectors were too thin and got torn up by oyster and shell rash on beaches. This is a UV curing fiberglass polyester resin patch, and after about an hour in sunlight it feels like fiberglass.
I cut the largest patch into strips for a keel guard, and one kit could have done nearly 3 kayaks. I also use it to repair hull damage and fix cracks. I mainly put it on the bow and stern.
Key moments
- 0:00 Introduction to Gator Guard
- 0:11 Identifying keel damage
- 0:44 Preparing the patch
- 1:18 Applying the keel guard
- 1:58 Curing and results
- 2:33 Repairing hull damage
- 3:21 Fixing cracks
- 3:57 Testing and conclusion
Quick takeaways
- It sticks to most materials except polypropylene (PP).
- It cures in about an hour of sunlight, then you can paddle.
- I only put it on the bow and stern, covering the whole keel was unnecessary.
Gear from this video
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