How's my skeg?

[LFK]

I've seen a lot of talk about skegs lately, and it looks like mine nay be too short. I wanted to get some of the iboats.com expert opinions before begging my wife for more money for the boat.

Click on images twice to enlarge completely:

 

[Trent]

Re: How's my skeg?

Normal....

 

[LFK]

Re: How's my skeg?

Thanks Trent. All the pictures I've seen lately look like the skeg is a good 3 inches below the outside diameter of the prop. It's good to hear that I don't need to spend any more money. 8)

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: How's my skeg?

Looks to me like it may have had some damage at one time and been ground down nice and purdy. It really does look a little short.

 

[spike_michael]

Re: How's my skeg?

Begging the Commander's pardon, Sir...

Wouldn't any Petty officer's skeg look a little short compared to yours?

... and a Captain see his skeg as about average?

....sir?

<snicker snicker>

glad the wife doesn't read these................

 

[Khanhfucious]

Re: How's my skeg?

What motor/outdrive do you have?

 

[LFK]

Re: How's my skeg?

It's a mercruiser 3.7 Alpha One (first gen).

 

[stevieray]

Re: How's my skeg?

That's definitely been shortened from original. To see pics of a new one, go to ebasicpower.com & look under p/n GLM18000. The flat bottom of the skeg has a little wider area cast into it - if that is gone, it is at least 1/2" short. Will it affect preformance? Probably not. I would touch up the bare aluminum areas with some outdrive paint so you dont get corrosion problems.

 

[LFK]

Re: How's my skeg?

So I bought a skeg guard today. I figure it can't hurt, right? Just make it as low as it should be...?

 

[omgitzdave]

Re: How's my skeg?

What happens when a Skeg gaurds hits a blunt object such as a rock? Does it break off? Or does it end up causing even more damage tot he lower end (because of the drilled holes)?.

Post pics after you install it!

 

[bamadave]

Re: How's my skeg?

I have seen skeg guard break the lower unit to where it was not repairable. There are replacement skegs you can have welded on, ground down, and painted to make it like new. Not as cheap as a Skeg Guard but repaired correctly.

 

[hullofalottatrouble]

Re: How's my skeg?

i thought the bolts were designed to sheer if you had any major impacts? thats what they say at least.. not true?

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: How's my skeg?

I was quoted 200 bux to have a new skeg welded on and the drive re-painted. They do the work in 2 days too! How much is that Skeg guard?

 

[bamadave]

Re: How's my skeg?

Most places sell it for at least 49.95 plus labor, another 37.50 min.
Bolts are SUPPOSE to shear, but.... when you drill the holes, it weakens to metal also. I have seen what was left of the skeg (2 inches) break and then there isn't enough left yo weld a replacement skeg on. Pay now or pay later, but later always cost more.

 

[omgitzdave]

Re: How's my skeg?

I just emailed a local marina to see how much they charge to re-weld a new skeg on. If it's in the $200 range (which i think is extremely reasonable) then I will do it.

 

[LFK]

Re: How's my skeg?

Well, I already purchased the gaurd. I'll just have to hope for the best.

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: How's my skeg?

the local boat shop down here takes and cuts a relief in the skeg. kinda like a crack line when they use bolt ons? i guess the cheap way out. but they claim if it does get smashed, it will break off at the line not above it. therefore you can reweld. i dont know about that method though. seems like after all that id just weld one on.lol

 

[tystick]

Re: How's my skeg?

Some say to replace all the seals in lower unit after the weld job as the heat can and will destroy seals. I went with skegguard and it has worked fine. I seem to attract objects to it and the mounting screws just shear off.