The pictures in this post are of a different Northwoods than the one I posted photos of in the other post.
The photos in this post are of the canoe I am going to buy. I have a question though concerning the keel at the bow. It appears to be normal wear and tear, however, there definitely appears to be some wearing. I ask as I am far from being a composite expert. I paddle aluminum and have only had my solo kevlar for a year.
Does this look to be natural wear on a kevlight that is a couple years old?
Would this keel be left as is for a few more years or should it be covered? Would Keel Easy do the job or would it require something more?
Thanks again for all the input.

Looks pretty natural to me. I have a year old souris that has the same look. I am either going to pit Keel Easy on it or a kevlar skid plate this winter. I feel you can never have to much protection in that area.

Wear on the bottom looks pretty normal to me after a few years of use.

IMO KeelEasy and similar products are to prevent damage/wear. In other words installed as close to new as possible.

Once wear occurs, I'd recommend a kevlar skid plate kit. Personally I install kevlar skid plate kits even on new canoes. Kevlar canoes, even used ones, are a huge investment.

Skid plates help to protect that investment. IMO they don't add much weight to the canoe and they don't detract from the appearance or performance if installed properly.

Maybe I'm not seeing this correctly, but it looks like narrow piece of kevlar felt (home made skid plate) is already on the bow and stern of the canoe.

I wouldn't worry about it. The felt you see is the integrated skid plate Bell started putting in at some point. Its nothing out of the ordinary at all. I don't think keel-easy would be a bad idea, but you could do nothing and be fine.

Thank-you all. Your input is appreciated.

Here is a little history of Bell construction no need

While the scuff is unsigtly an application of the resin used originally would make it look neater and not add to drag. Whether the resin Bell used was polyester or vinylester, I regret, I don't remember

looks snooty, I'd pass ;)

quote Ragged: "looks snooty, I'd pass ;)"

Damned snooty. Not as much as a SR though I must say. :0 ;) :)
Here's my snooty face ;/


Thanks for the link YC

quote Ragged: "looks snooty, I'd pass ;)"

Give it to me. I can fix that. I did a good job on my UL Merlin II. Complete facelift from pretty to" WTH did you do to that" in under a minute.

quote fitgers1: "

Damned snooty. Not as much as a SR though I must say. :0 ;) :)
Here's my snooty face ;/



"

No way, Bells are way more snooty than SR’s

It looks as though it needs nothing. Part of the reason that I love Bell canoes is because of their awesome glide. Doing anything will remove some of that glide. I'd wait until it really needs it, then use the thinnest and narrowest skid protection that you can get away with using.

My first thought was just go ahead and put the kev skid plate on, but after reading the others replies...maybe not? I don't know, I think I would go ahead and lay on the skid plate now. Can't hurt, right?

quote PortageKeeper: "It looks as though it needs nothing. Part of the reason that I love Bell canoes is because of their awesome glide. Doing anything will remove some of that glide. I'd wait until it really needs it, then use the thinnest and narrowest skid protection that you can get away with using."

I have actually seen pretty good results with electrical tape. When it starts to wear through just take the old off and put the new on.

quote PortageKeeper: "It looks as though it needs nothing. Part of the reason that I love Bell canoes is because of their awesome glide. Doing anything will remove some of that glide. I'd wait until it really needs it, then use the thinnest and narrowest skid protection that you can get away with using."

Have to agree. I've had my Souris River 13 years now and still don't have a skid plate installed. Eventually I may need one, but still a few years off and I beat the heck out of it.

As Amhacker22 pointed out the skids plates are internal now, even if you see a little wear it isn't a big deal.

By the picture, it looks fine to me. I wouldn't touch it, it's Kevlar not glass :) It's a beautiful canoe why mess with it's aesthetics and possible glide for no reason?

T

Thank-you to all for your knowledgeable input. It is greatly appreciated.