I am thinking about getting a Keel Protector for my boat. I would like some opinions and suggestions.  What brand is best, where is a good place to have one installed and what is a good price to pay.

Hawkeye.....

Glenn, I have a Stratos boat that I bought from Tri-State Marine in Nampa, Idaho. I was hoping I could get one installed locally. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Hawkeye

The closest dealer for a Hambys is Angler's Marine, located at 14606 South Pacific Ave. in Spanaway.  The hours are 9-6 and the number is 253/548-2232.  There are also dealers in Port Orchard, Lakewood and Olympia.  The cost for a 6' Hambys, the standard setter for beaching bumpers, is about $400.00 + tax installed.  
As I stated on their web-site;
"Feel free to post my comments regarding the durability and genuine"toughness" of a Hambys . . .  I don't have any problem at all endorsing a superior product that lives up to, in fact surpasses it's claims. . . Recently I was about to drop my partner off at the ramp to get the truck & trailer so we could load out.  The dock was crowded with a bunch of small sailboats being operated by the local Sea Scout troop so I was unable to pull up to it to let my partner off the boat.  I decided to ease up on the rough concrete ramp next to a bassboat that was also loading out.  Since my hull is black and so is the Hambys, he could not see that I had one on.  You can imagine the look on his face when I put the boat on the ramp as his eyes got about 3 times larger than normal.
I just looked over at him and said, "Hambys".  His reply was a envious
"Oh". and then "How much?"

Jim Smith
Auburn, WA.


The product has a lifetime warranty against  failure or delamination.  I regularly beach my 201 Pro XL on concrete ramps, and yet there is not even any abrasion marks on it.
For more information visit the web-site at WWW.hambys.com or call 800/742-2813 and talk to Rodger Sutterwhite.  Please mention my name if you do.

No he didn't.  He would have had to say "Oh man, I have a monster fish on!  It's a monster!  It's a monster!  Oh man, what a monster!  Son!  Look at that fish, it's a monster!  Son!  Oh man, it's gotta be 8 lbs!  It's a monster!  Son!"

And then he would have had to get it on his digital scale, which would have read 6 lbs. and say "look at that, it's almost 8 lbs!  It's a monster!  Son!"

Then he could have broke for another commercial. 

Faz, actually 6-8 lbs is a two pound range, but who's counting? Just hope Sarge can't count the beers he's buying me at the Dam Pub.

Back to the subject. I believe Scott Ramirez put a Cabela's beaching bumper on one of his boats, maybe the first Ranger? It's a DIY job, about half price, as I recall. Somebody had a Hamby's put on at All Marine, and I seem to think it was Smitty. The only boat I'd not suggest a Hamby's on is a Nitro. You don't want to put on a $400 Hamby's, have the hull fall apart, and be replaced under warranty.   

C&R, Steve

Glenn, I just checked with All Marine & they said they can install a Hamby's for $399. The only color they have in stock is Black. I am concerned what it would look like since my hull is White. They said most everyone puts a Black one on. What color do you have??

The black protector look quite good in contrast to a white hull.  Jim Ruman currently has a black one on his 2001 Cobra and I had one on my 2000 Cobra.  both have white hulls.  If you opt for a white protector, rember that over time the white will discolor somewhat due to sun fade, and water stain.  the result in a "dingy" looking strip down the middle of the hull vs. a contrasting one.

You'll have to do better than that to fish the jack & Jill Jimmy.