Keel Guard

The Megaware KeelGuard® is a very strong, protective strip made of durable, abrasion-resistant material that you attach to the bottom, leading edge (the keel) of your boat.  Think of it like a tough bumper or shield for the most vulnerable part of your boat’s hull. It prevents damage – like scratches and gouges – that can happen when you accidentally run aground on sandbars, rocks, boat ramps, or hit other underwater obstacles. By protecting the keel, the KeelGuard helps maintain your boat’s appearance, structural integrity, and overall value, saving you from potentially expensive fiberglass repairs down the line.

The Megaware KeelGuard® acts as a protective barrier, absorbing minor impacts and preventing scratches, dings, and structural wear on the keel. Its patented design includes self-sealing contoured edges and hydrodynamic channels that reduce drag, ensuring it doesn’t negatively affect boat performance.

The Megaware KeelGuard® is engineered using a precise blend of high-quality polymers and urethanes designed to be abrasion-resistant. Secured with powerful 3M adhesive, it shields your boat from damage without sacrificing performance. Our exclusive contoured edge design makes installation quicker and ensures a seamless fit. The hydrodynamic design, coupled with our easy DIY installation, lifetime warranty, and dedicated product support, truly sets us apart. Available in a wide array of 12 colors and versatile sizes from 4 to 12 feet, the Megaware KeelGuard® fits most fiberglass and select aluminum boats, delivering unmatched durability, customization, and exceptional value for boaters seeking reliable, long-lasting protection and supporting an American-made product from a small, family-owned and operated business.

Yes, Megaware KeelGuard® is designed for DIY installation. Each kit includes step-by-step instructions, a KeelGuard, a scotch-brite pad, primer wipe, and a burnishing tool. You’ll need isopropyl alcohol (not included) for cleaning. Installation typically takes about an hour.

No, the Megaware KeelGuard® was engineered with hydrodynamic drag-reduction technology. The design features angled grooves that create hydrodynamic channels. These channels produce air pockets, resulting in a slicker surface and reducing drag.

Most kayaks and canoes are made of low surface energy plastics like Polypropylene and Polyethylene. Because the 3M adhesive does not bond well to these materials, the Megaware KeelGuard® is not compatible with kayaks or canoes.

Modern personal watercraft (PWC) hulls have complex designs with multiple contours, strakes, and chines. These features pose challenges when installing a Megaware KeelGuard®. The KeelGuard needs a smooth surface to adhere properly and create a watertight seal. In addition, the KeelGuard must be installed 4-6 inches above the resting waterline. This can be problematic due to the rub rail on many PWCs. This rail interferes with the proper placement of the KeelGuard, making it difficult to achieve a successful bond and therefore, is not recommended.

The Megaware KeelGuard® can be installed on some aluminum boats that have a smooth hull surface without sharp angles or rivets and do not have a protruding center keel with reinforced welding. 

If your boat has a raised or reinforced center keel, it must not be raised more than 1/4 inch. The keel cannot have any reinforced welding around the edge that protrudes or has rivets. The KeelGuard adheres best to flat, smooth surfaces in order to maintain a watertight seal. 

The KeelGuard is not compatible with Alumacraft, Alumaweld, Angler, Crestliner, Duckworth, Lowe, Lund, Polarcraft, Smoker Craft, Tracker (Basstracker), and some Xpress boats. (Note: this is not a complete list). Please contact our office at (801) 334-5335 if you have compatibility questions about your boat.

The Megaware KeelGuard® must be installed 4-6 inches above the resting waterline. Most catamaran hulls have a very sharp keel and a steep 90° upturn at the bow, making the KeelGuard incompatible with this design.

If you’re looking to protect just the prow (the forward-most part of the bow that cuts through the water), please call our office to place a custom length order.

The Megaware KeelGuard® cannot be installed on the bottom of the pontoon tubes because the leading edge must be applied 4-6 inches above the resting water line. We do offer a product called the Pontoon Guard, which protects the sides of the tubes when tying to docks or boats.

Yes, the Megaware KeelGuard® is compatible with RIBs; you can also install one longer than the recommended length for added hull protection. However, all recommendations for boat trailer, boat lift, floating dock, and hull compatibility, as well as installing the KeelGuard above the resting waterline, apply. For questions, please contact our office at (801) 334-5335.