Launching, Trailering and Beaching fibreglass

[RogersonCrusoe]

Hi Lads,
Looks like my budget won't buy me a small aluminum boat for up here (Yukon), so I'm expanding my search for fibreglass, and need some advice/experience.

Our ramps suck. Usually gravel/packed or broken concrete and only a few lakes have docks to tie up next to. Leading boaters to launch, beach, park, board, and go - sometimes into an onshore wind. Obviously putting a lot of strain on the hull and risk of damage to fibreglass boats.

Anyone have any tips / tricks for fibreglass hulls in these conditions? I see keelguards are options, but they have mixed reviews...

I just want to go fishing further than my kayak will take me!

 

[N2013]

The keel guard is better than nothing. Get an aluminum.

 

[Marley]

When I lived up north everyone had 18 ft Lunds or similar with a tiller. Should be able to find something like that for not to much. Maybe a fishing camp replacing boats will have a good deal.

 

[IronNoggin]

Fiberglass boats do not belong where you live.
Take Marley's advice and find a Lund or something similar.

My first boat when living in Inuvik and boated both the Yukon and NWT was a Lund S 18.
You should be able to find something similar for a decent price.

Cheers

 

[RogersonCrusoe]

Fine... y'all win. I'm going to convince my wife that we need an aluminum because some stand-up chaps told me so