[GripaLip]

I am amazed at how easy it is to scuff and mark up a kayak....... I don't really mind getting
it to a point that its "used" but I am growing concerned with how much the bottom is getting
torn up just on a few trips....... Is there any type of coating, gel, keel cover type products
that people use and may have some feedback ?......... I have a pedal kayak so not to worried about a little drag. I will take that over the eventual hole that may appear...........

 

[Chiefly Fly'n]

I haven't used any but there are some on the market....and I think there was a post on here in the past about one of the products. Launching and beaching can be tough on the bow and stern areas and that's why a lot of folks make sure there is plenty of water under the full length of the boat before getting in and out. You could even try duct tape or Gorilla tape in the high wear areas but that abrades thru pretty quick.

 

[JohnYaksJax]

Hey GripaLip.....Good info above from Richard and nothing really works for very long. Your best preventative measures are to just try not to drag the yak on hard surface...concrete and rocky surfaces are bad. I fish in shallow saltwater inlets and marshes and creeks and am always in or near oysters, so my 2005 Tarpon 120 with over 750 trips has plenty of "oyster rash" on it, and no leaks yet!! I always unload all the extra weight before I move it, or just pick it up and carry it...unloaded of course!!

Since you have a "pedal kayak" you need to worry more about your fins or propeller and your exposed rudder....just remember to REMOVE the fins or tilt up the Propel drive before you get into too shallow water to beach your yak. Also, the Hobie rudders lift out of the water or fold up into the hull, altho the Slayer Propel rudder is in a fixed position at the rear of the yak so be careful when you load/unload it from your truck or trailer or vehicle....it could easily be damaged.
Good luck....JohnYaksJax

 

[EvBlue]

Don't worry too much about abrasion. These hulls are thicker than you think and besides, you'll get bored with it and move on to another boat before you wear through the hull.

 

[wademaster]

It's a yak. Put it through its paces. The more scars I see on mine the better. Battle scars equal days well spent.

 

[J Scott]

Get yourself a good set of wheels and Don't drag it over hard surfaces unless you have to... I was scared to scratch mine up when i first got mine...Use it don't abuse it

 

[wademaster]

I've heard of kayaks being damaged from rocks over lengths of gradual use but very rarely. My respect to anyone that has this problem.

 

[H_GeeZy]

http://www.keeleazy.com/

You're welcome.

But seriously. This stuff is cheap, easy to install, and tough. I don't baby my yak anymore b/c I know how much abuse they can actually take and I'm not really concerned about cosmetic scars so I have to replace these may every other season or so but that is about the best $20 you could spend to cover the bow and stern keel.

 

[GripaLip]

http://www.keeleazy.com/

You're welcome.

But seriously. This stuff is cheap, easy to install, and tough. I don't baby my yak anymore b/c I know how much abuse they can actually take and I'm not really concerned about cosmetic scars so I have to replace these may every other season or so but that is about the best $20 you could spend to cover the bow and stern keel.

Perfect...... This is exactly what I was looking for ....... Thank You .......

 

[mikeski]

If anyone has a yak with a perfect bottom they are not using it. After the river trips this year I have to say mine is well used. And I have nose scars from concrete boat ramps. The BigRig is best dealt with at the ramp. The drag tail on mine is replaceable though.

And all those people with perfect paddles. They can't ever have had to pushed off anything and never took that paddle down a river. So basically never used.

My yak is a tool to get me to the fish. It's made to get you where your boat can't. I have never babied it. Have no plans to.

mike