Dirty f#@*^! Pilgrim stole it off my engine

[paintking46]

All I know of this is it controlled the way my boat steered. I know its an adjustable rudder of some sorts. Dont know the name of this part..Just know its gone..1997 40hp Force..Like to replace "it" just need to know what "it" is

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Dirty f#@*^! Pilgrim stole it off my engine

The anode. or possibly trim tab.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Dirty f#@*^! Pilgrim stole it off my engine

Your trim tab is missing. I doubt anyone stole it, those bolts sometimes work loose and fall out.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Dirty f#@*^! Pilgrim stole it off my engine

Unless your boat is pulling to one side you don't need it. It's to correct steering pull. I'd search around on Ebay. Can't be that much from a dealer to order one.

 

[paintking46]

Re: Dirty f#@*^! Pilgrim stole it off my engine

Thank you very much...Do you know if it will affect how the motor runs..It was always turned just a little to the left. I centered it one time and my boat pulled to one side as soon as I let go of the wheel so back it went..I know it was on when I put it away for the winter...guess shared community garages arnt what they used to be..

 

[Expidia]

Re: Dirty f#@*^! Pilgrim stole it off my engine

Really, as the other poster said. They fall off by them selves because there is so much vibration on the bolt. Just buy another one. We picked up a 2nd boat last year and that skeg was just flopping back and forth totally loose.

 

[Can't Cast]

Re: Dirty f#@*^! Pilgrim stole it off my engine

Paintking46,

Been a while since I had a large outboard with one of those, but I think it's called a "torque tab". It has a twofold purpose...it's usually made of zinc and helps prevent corrosion on the motor (sacrificial anode), and it also counters the motor's tendency to want to pull harder to one side on acceleration (holeshot) and at speed due to propeller torque.
It's normal for it to be cocked to one side vs. straight-on. It's like a mini-rudder.
You might notice the motor will pull slightly harder to the right without that piece attached. (kinda like a car with bad front end alignment).

 

[Shife]

Re: Dirty f#@*^! Pilgrim stole it off my engine

Unless your boat is pulling to one side you don't need it. It's to correct steering pull. I'd search around on Ebay. Can't be that much from a dealer to order one.

You most certainly need it. As mentioned by others it also acts as a sacrificial anode. If you want to accelerate corrosion on your outboard, toss it in the trash.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Dirty f#@*^! Pilgrim stole it off my engine

Thx for correcting my post. I didn't think the steering skegs on 2 of my outboards were made of anode material. I really never looked or thought about what they were made of I just knew they controlled the steering.

If this is true, than of course you would absolutely need them.

 

[frwhlr38]

Re: Dirty f#@*^! Pilgrim stole it off my engine

When ever i have to take mine off my merc for like a waterpump change or something i always blue locktight it when i resinstall and check it every time i launch the boat for looseness i have never lost one BILL