I can only get one or the other this year, Custom cover or a keel guard. I have a wx1850 that stays in the garage in the summer and is stored indoors in the winter. I can’t take the boat for long trips because no cover and I can’t beech the boat because no keel guard. What do you think would be the best option this year.
Valentines Day is next week, get one for Her and the other for you !! 
Keel guard. You can still travel long distances without a cover. A little rain or dirt won’t hurt the boat.
Depends on where you’ll have the boat…with a Keel guard I have no issue sliding my Warrior up on the beach.. Without it, I don’t think so.
Some people never let their boat touch beach. If that’s you, get the cover.
My two cents.
I wouldn’t leave the garage without a keel guard for how and where I fish. But I would tow a boat 100’s of miles without a cover. They are made to get wet you know. 
Quote:
I can only get one or the other this year, Custom cover or a keel guard. I have a wx1850 that stays in the garage in the summer and is stored indoors in the winter. I can’t take the boat for long trips because no cover and I can’t beech the boat because no keel guard. What do you think would be the best option this year.
If I could only get one it would be the Keel guard hands down. This is a knee jerk response and to be honest I use both the keel guard and the cover every time I’m out. They both have extreme value to me.
How much did you guys pay for a keel gaurd professionaly installed, and how much for the custom cover. I was quoted 900 for the cover, nothing yet for the Hamby’s.
Both are very valuable in my eyes. The first on my list would be the Hamby’s though. I can handle a wet and dirty boat much easier than I can a boat with a bunch of scratches, gouges and chips out of the hull.
Our price for a Hamby’s installed is $476 and our price for a custom FACTORY Skeeter cover is $750.00
Let me know if we can be of any help!!
Most of the places I fish have either sand or gravel at the launch site with no docks. I shudder to think what the keel on my boat would look like without the keel guard. My thoughts on a cover are a bit controversial. No matter how tight your cover is, traveling with it causes it to wiggle and every time it wiggles, it’ll scuff on the corners and anywhere else the fabric is tight on the boat. Dirt and other abrasives imbed in the underside of the fabric and act like a fine sandpaper. I travel without the cover, wipe the boat down when I arrive and cover it then. As a temporary cover, a cheapie tarp and plastic coated bungies will work to keep the rain off and valuables outta sight. just my .02- – jerr
So I think I will go with the hamby’s . With the money I would save how much would it be to have a swim platform installed.
Im not sure what you mean by a swim platform? We have installed some swim ladders but never a platform one. Is there any way you could post a picture of what you had in mind?
tough call. I would hold back on a trip or 2 to save the money and get both… Its a must to protect the keel and generally all summer I will not travel with a cover but on the long road trips its nice as well as the winter and spring with salty roads it is a must. Nothing worse then driving all the way to rainy river and getting salt spray packed into everything in your boat but beaching a boat there is a must as well…
I am getting a cover made by north country canvas for my new competitor 175 in 3 weeks and thats $700 for a full snap cover made of top gun canvas.
Keel guard and Cabela’s cover 
Having both, I’d agree with most others and say the Hamby’s first.
When you can swing it, and it’s time for a custom cover, I’d encourage you to check out North Country Canvas, as Kroger3 did… We’re blessed with some great custom cover makers in the area, and Dave at NCC, IMO, is at the top of the list.
For me it would be a no brainer. Keel guard.
I would have to go with a cover. I never tow mine down the road without the cover on. If its raining its not the rain I am worried about its all the dirt road spray!! Also when parked somewhere with a cover your gear is out of sight out of mind.
I have a keel guard on my boat as well but 90% I anchor out from shore.
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