Upon the limitations from testing other keel guard products it was time to search for a better solution to protect my kayak.  A keel guard is to protect the bow and stern of your kayak from damage due to landing, dragging, or loading and unloading. It can also protect against submerged objects such as rocks and oyster bars. Gator Patch Kayak Keel Protection and Repair seemed like a great solution!

Searching for products commonly used on boats I ran across Gator Guards. This company offers a product Gator Patch Kayak Keel Protection. As we all know plastic is a tough material attempting get things to stick permanently. Especially in the case of protection materials that are constantly being scraped across surfaces with the entire weight of the boat on. Gator Patch seems to be a unique material that may hold up to the daily abuse us kayak angler have to throw at it.

About:

Gator Guards an American Company based in Farmington, Illinois offers many diverse products for protecting many different areas of boats. They manufacture products for protection from the keel to the deck of boats. Their products have been effectively protecting boats for over 20 years. All of the products Gator Guards produces are manufactured in the USA. This article focuses on the Gator Patch product.

Gator Patch:

Gator Patch Kayak Keel Protection material is comprised of a UV core fiberglass reinforced polyester. One side has adhesive to apply to the area you would like to protect or repair. The patch will protect flat, curved, dented, angled and, joint areas. It is able to repair damage such as scuffs gouges cracks and also holes. It can be sanded and painted if desired.

Gator patch is available in three different sizes.

• 3 x 4″
• 3″ x 6″
• 9″ x 12″

Gator Patch can be cut to any desired size. Cutting should be done indoors out of UV light. UV light cured the product quickly in sunlight.

Application:

Gator patch is easy to apply.

With a coarse grit sand paper scuff up the area with a crosshatch or X pattern. This will create a better surface for Gator Guard to adhere to. Wipe down with a clean rag and 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Let the area dry.

The 9″ x 12″ size is the best product for a keel guard. You can cut it 3 strips 3″ x 12″.

Cut the Gator Guard to the desired shape and size indoors. To apply the patch simply peel off the white backing to expose the adhesive. Place the Gator Guard on the area of repair or protection. Mold it to the shape by pressing down to remove bumps and air bubbles. You can use a roller tool or a simple 3/4″ socket wrench. Remove the clear film and let stand outdoors exposed to the sunlight or sky on a cloudy day.

Cure times will vary due to geographical locations and weather conditions. The curing process should take a maximum time of up to an hour. If preferred you can then sand and paint the patch or keel guard to match the hull of your kayak!

Review:

I installed a small patch on the keel of my kayak a few weeks ago. The curing process didn’t complete due to my application as the sun was setting. However I went fishing the next morning and the patch was hardened but not completely. The water did not effect the patch at all. It fully cured in the sun on the drive home and is now very rigid. Since then I have dropped and loaded the kayak from my truck 3 times and the guard is a little scuffed but is doing exactly what it was intended to do protecting my kayaks keel!

You may order this product directly from www.gator-guards.com 
Or from amazon.com at the following links!

Gator Patch GP 3″x6″ UV Cure Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester Patch

Gator Patch GP 6″x9″ UV Cure Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester Patch

Gator Patch GP 9″x12″ UV Cure Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester Patch

https://www.gator-guards.com/gator-patch/

The Lunchbox Paddle Park was invented in 2016 by Charlie “LunchBox” LaBar prostaffter of Eddie Line Kayaks and The Kayak Fishing Store. The original concept came from using gear tracks a T bolt and a Yakattack RotoGrip Paddle Holder to offset the paddle holders from the track area. Stowing the paddle away has always been a challenge on many kayaks. Now with the new track mounting V grip style paddle holders the paddle will lay across the entire length of track. This unfortunately renders use of the track useless for mounting any additional accessories.

About:

The LunchBox Paddle Park arms are fabricated from 1/2″ black starboard. The plastic is very rigid at this thickness but is soft to drill for adding paddle holders and other accessories. They are track mounted using a T Bolt and plastic knob. This allows them to be stowed easily for kayak transport. You can mount the YakAttack RotoGrip™  or any other V style paddle holders to the arms.

The Paddle Park can also double as a ParkNPole Holder! If you have ever tried to stow a YakAtack ParkNPole you know how awkward it can be.  Simply add on the YakAttack ParkNPole Clip Kit with Anti-Pivot Mounting Base and Security Straps to the center of the arms. No more shoving under bungees trying to get  it out of the way of your paddle stroke. Neatly stowed at the gunnel and easily accessible.

The Paddle Park Use:

The Paddle Park first of all has the ability to be track mounted on the gunnels of a  kayak. Most fishing model kayaks come standard with these tracks from the factory. The paddle parks are designed to position the paddle holders offset of the gear tracks. The paddle park allows for quick and easy access to your paddle while keeping it out of the way from the remainder of the tracks for mounting other accessories. The system is handy for stowing the paddle all day on peddle style boats or motorized kayaks where the paddle is not needed 90% of the time.

Most of all I really like the ease of stowing and accessing the paddle. A simple lift from the Rotogrips and your ready to paddle. Align the paddle in place, push down and the paddle is locked in and stowed.

The paddle park stows while traveling. You can simply rotate the Paddle Parks to align with the kayak. This way they are not protruding. The Paddle Parks are easily transferred to other kayaks with gear tracks installed on them.

Customization:

Changing out Hardware:

Furthermore I decided to countersink 1/4-20 bolts into the starboard to give a flush mounting of the RotoGrips. The Paddle Park is not countersunk from the factory. You can swap out the Plastic Knobs with Screwballs. This also allows the mounting of additional RAM Mount accessories. These include camera mounts a fish finder mount etc.

Adding a YakAttack Park n pole mounting kit is a great option. In addition you can stow your parkNpole right next to your paddle for easy access.

The Paddle park can be used with other manufacturers paddle holders such as:

Native Cam-Lock

Rail Blaza G-Hold

The Paddle Park is only available at The Kayak Fishing Store

Spring 2017 What??

Well The Spring of 2017 flew by just like the wind. Yes it was incredibly WINDY!! From March to May it seemed every day was gale force winds or more. Fishing from a kayak this is never fun or even doable most of the time. I can count on both hands the amount of times I was out fishing from the kayak. Although there were a few days the wind wasn’t so bad and most of them were when I was working.

Was able to get out with good friend Joe Hosler of the Delaware Paddlesports Hobie Team. We fished mainly back creeks and rivers to get out of the wind. He fished the Chesapeake a bit and did well. Unfortunately i didst make it over to that side.  When the big blues came in we fished Cape Henlopen at the pier and inner wall. Due to many Gopro issues I unfortunately was unable to capture some good fish pictures. Got out on the Indian River Bay on a few occasions in search of bass blues and flounder but had none.

Delaware Paddlesports Crew @ Cape Henlopen

A major highlight of the past spring was fishing from the Jackson Kayak Kilroy LT Realtree Camo Edition. As many of you that follow my blog know it is my new kayak for 2017! Since its first run out on the Indian River Bay it has been my main kayak. It is an excellent standing platform as well as swift paddling craft. Teamed up with the Torqeedo Ultralight 403 it is the Ultimate single person shallow water fishing craft! Check back for new videos and the extended use review shortly!!!

Always fun searching for the local fish. I hope to explore the spring more in the future. All I can say is please less wind next year!

So its hello summer and enjoying the long days for now. Flounder are in now and soon the Croakers will be too!