canoe skid plates

[nathan richard]

i need to put "skid plates" on two canoes. a buffalo and a blue hole.
I've never done this before, so i'm looking for advice and/or assistance. looks like a kit from REI is $100, but i wanted to check for tips on here first. I assume OMTC has the same Harmony kit or they can order it. Thanks!
Nathan
501.317.7386

[fzburk]

One of the better videos I've used is from Nova Craft.

It is titled Nova Craft Skid Plate Installation on youtube.

http://wn.com/installing_skid_plates_to_canoe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mark

[Gordon Kumpuris]

My comment would be to avoid skid plates until you have no choice. Simple physics says don't add weight to a boat at its extreme bow and stern unless you just want to make it more sluggish. Weight added it it's centerpoint is much less noticeable.

[sig]

He did say he "needs to" put them on... So maybe he has no choice? :)

OOO installs them for a fair price. They'll be doing my wife's boat soon since they possess the skills for a cleaner install than I could probably do since it would be my first time.

[Canoe_Codger]

Blue Hole and Buffalo canoes are not lightweight canoes. And the kevlar felt "grungepads" don't weigh much. I've had canoes with and without and there was no real noticible difference in performance other than a lot less wear on the hull from rocks. It might be different with a short, lightweight playboat.

As for myself, I would go with a pro-install everytime. Resin drips, wrinkles and lifted edges are not pretty!

[BEubanks]

Pro install, e.g., Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters, is a good way to go, especially if you don't want to go to the trouble of buying resin, cloth, or kit. The venerable Max Wellhouse taught me to install Kevlar cloth, then fiberglass, pigment added to match color of boat. Fiberglass can be sanded and makes the edges practically invisible. When the glass wears through to Kevlar, simply add another layer or two of glass. Much cleaner application than some of the kits and doesn't come off in chunks as the pads do when they get old. Does take a little instruction to get it right. I'm willing to show others what Max taught me . . .

Another fairly new product I'm just experimenting with is KeelEazy. It's a PVC peel and stick available in 2, 3, and 4" widths and a few colors. I can't imagine it's a tough as glass/Kevlar, but it certainly is easy to apply. See keeleazy.com for more info.

[okieboater]

Done my share of working with boating fiberglass etc including molding a glass kayak back in my time at the North Avenue Trade School.

Those end caps professionally installed (even when needed due to wear) just look ugly to me. The ones I worked on looked even worse. Having the Pro's do the install is worth the money to insure you get a quality install, appearance and bond.



PS: I sure do miss having Max close by for help, boating bud and repairs. Hope he is doing well up North.