Tape on catch/entry site

Have seen PVC tape (10mil , 20mil), white duct tape 4 in thick etc placed at the catch/entry side of hull. I assume it's for protecting boat from paddle stroke? Have folks used other things?
Is there a type of tape that is a solid color that works as well?

To protect that "paddle strike" area, I use a product called KeelEazy. It is very easy to apply and removes easily with a heat gun. It comes in a variety of colors and widths. Pict in the link.

KeelEazy on SEI

I've previously used 3M Safety-walk in the past (clear) which is really tough, easy to apply but not great looking.

On my new ski I've opted for automotive paint protection film. The benefit of this is you can get it in large sizes and cut it to a perfect large shape ... just make up a template using some old clear plastic (spray water on to boat, apply plastic and then draw with a marker) and cut your perfect / desired shape then apply with soapy water / alcohol solution.

The films you can get are varied in thickness etc but all are very UV resistant and I think perfect for the application. You can hardly see it once applied.

The guy I bought my ski from installed the soft side of Velcro strip and although I wouldnt have thought of this, it works pretty well as a strike guard.

I'd probably use 10-20 mil tape like you're thinking on my next ski, but I can see this being useful if you ever wanted a leg spray skirt or something. It would serve dual purpose well.

Hi. I notice that you paddle a Stellar SEI. I currently paddle a 2nd gen SR and love it. Have been getting into open water downwind of late and it's great in these conditions. I've been toying with the idea of the SEI and was wondering how you found your boat. I've heard mixed reviews. I like the KeelEasy tape by the way!

A friend of mine wipes the pvc pipe tape with a paper towel dampened with acetone and the white print comes right off.

I second the "automotive paint protection film". Awesome stuff, a bit of a PITA to apply to get all the bubbles out. So far has held up great and practically invisible... I mean you can see it if you look carefully but from the distance it's not there. My only gripe is that I wish I had applied it earlier .

Off topic DMax - I have Gen 2 SR and SEI - great boats both. Don't hesitate to step up into the SEI from SR. Minimal stability difference (there's something in it but not much) however down winding SEI accelerates better and jumps onto runs more readily than the SR. Slimmer and sleeker all round. Also have an SES which is a big step down in stability from the SEI however still a great boat for most occasions. I'm less comfortable in sloppy choppy stuff find myself fighting the boat but oddly am ok in big stuff come out infrequently. Frankly I only notice the stability difference SEI/SR backwards, that is SR to SEI can't really tell however SEI to SR say getting out into waves or sloppy stuff and thinking holy shit I can do anything in this boat and I'll never fall out!

I am not an expert, but I like my SEI 2G. It is my first ski and I had no trouble transitioning from a 20" wide Wahoo Fast Sea Kayak. It has light initial stability but nice secondary stability. I have been paddling it since November and have only taken three unintentional swims. I have not paddled in big conditions, but routinely paddle 3' white caps in the river where I live. I am in a recreational race group and find the SEI pretty competitive with a lot of the guys paddling elite skis. Every race, I pass several of them while they are swimming.

I love this statement from mcnye1:

"I am in a recreational race group and find the SEI pretty competitive with a lot of the guys paddling elite skis. Every race, I pass several of them while they are swimming."

"Fast" elite skis aren't so fast upside down.

I've said it before but IMHO the best solution to protect your ski from paddle strikes is SUP rail tape. It's designed to protect the SUP's rails from paddle strikes and does exactly that. It normally comes in +- 2m lengths x2, so you can share it with 3 mates.
I've only seen it in clear.

ISC Helicopter tape. Supposed to be made for leading edge of helicopter blade. Definitely durable, and cost less than tapes for SUP boards that I found. It was flexible enough to curve around the boat, and it held on pretty good for half a year so far.

+1 on the helicopter tape (ISC Helicopter-OG Surface Guard Tape), available on Amazon ( www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TR6EW2/ref...ilpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ).

You can apply wet or dry, wet is the easiest IMO. Clean the hull, apply some soap and water to the hull and back of tape, and you will be able to move/adjust the tape exactly where you want it, and squeegee out the bubbles. Let dry before use.

Greg

I'm still a PVC tape fan. It is cheap. Readily available at home stores etc. Very easy to apply and remove. Leaves little to no residue when removed. 100' roll will do 25 surfskis. Did I already say it is cheap.

www.walmart.com/ip/JVCC-PWT-20C-Heavy-Du...0-ft-Black/113310964

How is the helicopter tape different from the paint protection tape: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LY0GIZV
Both are 8mil polyurethane adhesive lined tapes... The paint protection is cheaper despite coming from a name brand.

Kirk: not everyone likes putting black tape onto a white ski . Otherwise you're correct that it's the simplest and cheapest option.

Thorsten, are you suggesting that my pvc tape clashes with my hibiscus?