Keel guard help!

[walleyejim1216]

Hey all, I pulled a good one and ripped a bunch of my hamby's keel guard off of my 2009 Ranger 620! The Ice cut it off! I know I shouldn't of been breaking ice with my new boat but I really needed to fish! Any ideas the best way to replace it? Ive talked to 3 guys and they want between $550.00 to $650.00. That stings a little for a 20 fish limit of crappie! Thanks Jim

[maidsrone]

what did it do to the bottom of the boat?

[walleyejim1216]

The bottom of the boat is fine seems to have no scratches or anything except the keel guard!

[Morton]

Sounds to me like it did it's job and kept the hull from being damaged.

It may be worth the cost to have another installed professionally.

Just my 2 cents to protect the investment.
Morton

[peter8]

I would hope there is a warranty to cover your damage. I just sprung the $550 for a Hamby's..... On their website they show a boat running right up on a concrete ramp. A little ice shouldn't be a problem!! At 4-5 times the cost of keel shield/guard they better cover it. Or I just wasted some serious $$. Keep us posted.

[alwaysffb]

Hi WalleyeJIM - it's good to hear that the keel guard did its job! I have replaced several of these and can offer you this option. You can buy a Megaware Brand Keel Guard to match your hull and it's no different than a Hamby's. I get them for around $110.00 and it only takes about an hour or so to remove your old one and put on the new one. Very nice 2 part adhesive system that works amazing on the Megaware Keel Protector. I'd save my money and do it myself if I were you...considering you have the time and a heat gun or good hair dryer. Take care and let me know if you have any other questions.

[walleyejim1216]

They tell me no there isn't a warranty to cover it! And they told me if you hit a stump or something that that wouldnt be covered either!

[peter8]

I "assumed" that the warranty was as good as Keel Shield. I know they have a free replacement policy. I listened to the 3/16" vs 5/8" hype and watched the old vidio of the boat running up the concrete ramp a"100" times so I "assumed" the warranty of the Hamby's would be similar, especially considering price. I ran a Keel shield for 6yrs. w/ only 1 problem and after sending them a picture for verification of the rip they sent me a new shield ... no $$. I hope I didn't make a mistake in trying out the Hamby's. Has anyone else had a problem with their Hamby's guard failing?

[beeman]

That's something ive never even though about out in west. What happens to hulls if you hit to thick ice?

[TJEli]

Has anyone else had a problem with their Hamby's guard failing?

Mines been on for 13 years without a problem.

-Eli

[Esoxchaser]

I was wondering which one to put on my boat next month. I guess if Hambys gets messed up by a little ice which didn't even hurt the gel coat, and they say there is nothing wrong with the product that would make it a warranty issue, I should buy the "other" product.

[walleyejim1216]

pm sent!