I started out like everyone else and tied off in the water until it started to become a PITA. I bought a KeelGuard/Keel Shield both basically the same thing and put it on my 06 OBV. Since then I rarely tie off and have not experienced any problems as far as hull damage is concerned. I beach on sand, sand/mud mostly. I will say being on the Cumberland River can be a bitch. On average I have seen the depth vary as much as a 6" to a foot in an hour which makes it especially hard trying to unstick the 2 skags from the mud. Just have to pay a little more attention is all.