bent lower unit fin

[mitchell]

anyway to straighten it?

 

[JB]

Re: bent lower unit fin

Yes.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: bent lower unit fin

Straight to the point, JB. Are you talkin' about the Fin above the prop or the bottom of the lower unit? If below, How badly is it bent? Most times you can use a rubber mallet and bend it back some. If it's too bad, you can have a skeg welded on to the old stub.

 

[mitchell]

Re: bent lower unit fin

thanks guys,its the bottom sked

 

[ob]

Re: bent lower unit fin

mitchel, Don't know how far from center yours is bent, but in 1985 my then new 70 hp was rear ended while being trailered in the tilted position by a woman in a new car.It went right trough her hood panel and was bent about 1 1/2 inches to one side.I used a deep jawed adjustable wrench to strighten it. The pucker factor on a 1 -10 scale was about 9 while I was doing it.I'm sure her factor was a full 10 when hubby saw the new car.<br /><br />Some mild heat with a propane torch might help but don't get the flame too close to the propshaft barrell.Don't want excess heat transfering to the gearcase.

 

[JB]

Re: bent lower unit fin

Aha, Mitchell.<br /><br />Now we know what we are dealing with.<br /><br />If channellock pliers or a mallet don't do it or break it off, no sweat.<br /><br />You can get a device from Cabelas called a SkegGard ($99) to replace it, or you can have it welded back on, straight, for about the same bux. <br /><br />The only real function of the skeg is to protect your prop. I think the stainless steel SkegGard does a better job than the original.<br /><br />Good luck.