through an unusual turn of circumstance i'm getting a new old stock 2010 oasis (pre-redesign -- 2009 hull). my primary use of this boat will be long distance touring in fresh water.
i've been looking at hull protection possibilities. after doing a ton of reading here and around the 'net i've boiled it all down to these ...
keelguard and keelshield both seem great, but a little expensive ... and really they're made more for "real" boats, meaning those with engines and definitive bows -- rather than a kayak (which in these respects is something closer to a plastic cigar holder).
keeleazy (
http://keeleazy.com/), however, seems like a better bet to me. cheaper, lighter and more "to purpose."
i'm the first to admit that keel protection on any plastic kayak is as much, if not more, about vanity than practicality ... the amount of true "protection" you're getting from a covering is minimal compared to what the boat is capable of enduring over time ... still a boat's only new once, as is a chance for prophylactic protection (_your_joke_goes_here_) ... if i'm going to do it, i'd rather do it now while everything is pristine.
any/all comments about the necessity of doing this, as well as the choice i'm leaning toward, are welcome.