I recently purchased an older Bell Magic in kevlar layup with a white gelcoat finish. I usually install kevlar skid plates on my non-aluminum canoes. The magic is my first kevlar canoe and was just wondering what anyone thinks about installing the skid plates. This boat will be used exclusively in the BWCA and maybe on some local deep-water lakes in Missouri. I certainly will not take this boat on my Missouri Ozarks float trips. The rocks and gravel would tear it up even if I installed skid plates. I've rented kevlar canoes on my previous BWCA trips and noticed that the rentals did have skid plates, presumably to help protect them from the rocks at the portage and campsite take-outs. Thanks

Don't do it until you need to. Rental canoes see many times more use and abuse than your own canoe will. Also, depending on the year, Bell actually laid a piece of felt in the stems during layup to act as an "internal" skidplate. If you're in the mid 90's or later you probably have them. If you look at the bottom of your canoe in the bow or stern, you might see a raised bump about 1.5" across for the last foot or so. That's the felt. While they won't protect against scratches on the surface, you'll have a lot of material to wear through. If you're somewhat careful with your canoe, you may never need them.

I agree. I own a Magic and have had it in the Bwca, and the Quetico several times, I have examined the bow and stern thoroughly, and see no real wear. Personally, I don't like skid plates, and I don't think they are necessary. Just be conscientious, and take care of it, and you'll be alright. Just my opinion.

You lose nothing by waiting until you have worn through the gel coat. My magic has seen 10+ years of tripping and I do not need them yet. When I do I will sand and replace the gel coat and be ready to go another XX years.
MagicPaddler

ive been a bad bad magic owner. i guess i still have that royalex mentality. i have worn thru the stern and the canoe takes on a little water under the air tank. :(

quote kanoes: "ive been a bad bad magic owner. i guess i still have that royalex mentality. i have worn thru the stern and the canoe takes on a little water under the air tank. :("

I dunno kanoes - I'm done apologizing for using my canoe. You can still be a "good" owner and need skid plates IMveryHO. It is what it is, oh well. I've had chips in my factory SR skid plates on both ends - and I repair them with epoxy putty and keep on paddling. This current refinish job, I am going to also reinforce the area with extra epoxy strengthened with aluminum powder - per West System products/instructions (they make the powder to go with their epoxy). But I'm not adding more felt at the moment.

speopl, the advice that resonates with me is to wait and see if you need them... and WHERE you might need them. Maybe you are easy on a boat and won't need it at all, or maybe your style requires minimal reinforcement in a certain place. Long as it's in decent shape now to start out with, see what your own paddling brings. CONGRATS on the canoe!

Go stand in the corner Jan....you've earned a timeout!

quote kanoes: "ive been a bad bad magic owner. i guess i still have that royalex mentality. i have worn thru the stern and the canoe takes on a little water under the air tank. :("

I'm not too sure about this, but for some reason that doesn't seem like the *best* place to have a leak. eh?