Bent skeg and a wobbly prop

[Cajunrebel]

So over the weekend we took my boat out (16 ft Thundercraft with a 78 Johnson 85) for the first time since bringing it back from the dead. The trip went with only a few minor hiccups until we put the boat back on the trailer. We forgot to raise the motor when we pulled out of the launch. The motor got dragged along the ramp and the skeg and prop got damaged. The rear tip of the skeg is bent significantly and the prop has a fair bit of runout when spun by hand and also scrapes the lower unit. There is an old boat mechanic near where I store my boat on base and I stopped by so that he could see it. Now keep in mind that this guy works for the base and what he tells me is not motivated by money. I pulled the prop off and we can see that the bushing in the hub was pushed off center a fair bit. I do not know of any local place that can repair the prop so I may be getting a new one. For the new one he recommended a 14 x 17 in place of the damaged 13.25x17. He also told me that my prop is an old design with a pressed in bushing and that there is a new design that has a more easily serviced bushing. However if it is a simple press out the old and press the new one in I do own a shop press.
Now for the skeg he recommended bending it back into shape with a pair of hammers. I was thinking of cutting off the damaged portion and welding on a repair section in its place using the spool gun on my mig welder. What would everyone here recommend? I am a well skilled mechanic (F-16 Crew Chief by trade) so I'm not affair of any level of tearing into a motor.

 

[sutor623]

Well then, I am sure you know better then to hammer cold aluminum. If you want to straighten that skeg out it will take time, heat, and skill. I say try and heat/bend it and if you snap it off just repair it like you say. As for the prop, just get a new one. You can get them for $100 on this website, not worth fixing an old fixed hub prop that doesnt run true in my opinion. Lets just hope you didnt ruin the prop seal or bend the prop shaft.

 

[roonie]

i will come for a wobbly pop....oh sorry....i thought it said wobbly pop....lol

 

[Cajunrebel]

The prop shafts seems to be straight. I have a dial gauge that I can check runout with, but it has a magnetic base so I would need something g ferrous to attach it to. Maybe temp install a steel plate under a lower unit bolt.
The price isn't bad for a new 14 x 17 prop and that might give me some more speed out in the bay. I have an old 13 x 15 that I can use for ski/tubing. Changing a prop is cake work to me. Just buy a bulk box of stainless cotter pins.

 

[V153]

Just buy a bulk box of stainless cotter pins.

Amen! Cuz if yer changing a prop when the boat's in the water, you know dang well you're gonna fumble a pin and lose it in the drink.

Fwiw I've had reasonable success straightening skegs by heatin em up'n 'massaging' em with a rubber mallet.

 

[Cajunrebel]

So just to update, the skeg broke straightening it out. Not the end of the world. I will pull the lower unit in the off season for rebuild and get a repair section welded on. I swapped on an old 13 x 17 and ran it about 5 times before I spun the hub. Gonna try and find a new 14 x 19 and see how that runs out in the open water. I just need to install a tach to check my engine RPMs.

 

[boobie]

Two wood 2 x 4 's also work good for straightening a bent skeg. One to beat with and one for backing. Done it with no breakage.