Bravo One question... bent skeg?

[RandyJ]

Guy brought me his boat to get it running for him. The outdrive has been dragged through dirt so not sure about this. I noticed there is no fin on the trim tab and the skeg is bent to the left (Port side) as if it might be there either for a purpose or happened when the lower unit was down and got used as a plow... Is the bent skeg and lack of a fin on the trim tab (which now has no use except as a sacrificial anode) normal? I just have to plead total ignorance. I have zero experience with Bravo outdrives....

 

[tpenfield]

Bravo outdrives do not have a fin on the anode.

Skeg will probably need to be fixed at a welding shop

 

[Soder99]

While on this topic... I have an Alpha 1 Gen 2 and when I bought it the trim plate anode had no fin. I've used it for 5 years and had a great time. So, should it have a fin and if so, how would it effect the handling or driving of my boat?

Thanks so much for your expertise.

 

[Bondo]

I noticed there is no fin on the trim tab and the skeg is bent to the left (Port side)

Ayuh,..... The fin on the tab is for non-power steerin' systems,.... Cuts the prop torque in the wheel,....

The bend could be underwater strike damage, or ramp rash,.....

Fix it or leave it, or attempt to straighten it,.... Yer's 'n the owners choice,.....

 

[thumpar]

Power steering boats don't have the little fin on the anode. The bend can be fixed but may not cause an issue.

 

[RandyJ]

Thanks for the replies. I got it running for him, (new switch and new starter), had it running kinda okay, put it in the water and could not tell there was any effect on the steering. Aside from that for a 454 CID engine in a hot Stryker boat it didn't have near the power it should have. After about a mile or so loop in the lake it began to run hot. This is BRAND NEW engine. I throttled down and it died on me then was sluggish to restart so I let it cool before towing back to put on trailer. Once on the trailer it wasn't difficult to get cranked again.... I'm assuming old gas since it has been in storage for 3 years. I called the owner and he said there had been a timing issue. He and two mechanics had looked at it and couldn't figure out what the problem was getting the timing set.... Looks like I'm going to have a booger on my hands... I've only dealth with OLD mercruisers, 140' and 260's in the past so this is a new modern machine to me even if the boat was built in 1994...

 

[alldodge]

Running hot can cause issue with starting. Check the impeller in the raw water pump (starboard side down low)

 

[RandyJ]

Thanks AllDodge. I pulled the thermostat housing and was whacked out... the thermostat was sideways up in the housing. This is the first time I've ever put my hands on a 454 and this newer plumbing is a bit different than the old 260's and 140's I've messed with. Looked like some idiot had put the thermostat on top of the metal sleeve. My first on one with a sleeve... I ordered new thermostat and thermostat service kit 18-1989k. It came with two sleeves and 3 gaskets... sure wish it had come with instructions because now I've got to play with this stuff to see what works and what does not....