broken skeg, tested the boat anyway

[J JACKSON]

well i was hitching up the boat for a maiden test run tomorrow and noticed the skeg was bent some so i get a dead blow hammer and try to straighten it and like a idiot i broke it off it left maybe 1 1/2 to 2 inches. i really want to try it out tomorrow but will it hurt anything or hinder steering? its a mercruser out drive s/n of706189 alpha one don't know what generation 4.3 engine

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Take it out and have fun. You probably won't be able to tell any difference. I'd get it fixed in the off season.

 

[joseph.signore]

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

J,

I broke mine on an old outdrive I had. Could not tell... They sell a bolt on replacement for about $60.

Good Luck,

Joe

 

[JustJason]

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

I think its going to depend boat to boat.......
I've driven some with no skeg... as in broken off flush with the bullet and there was only thrust steer.... kinda impossible when coasting... and actually kinda dangerous in hard corners....
and i've also driven some same scenario and didn't notice a thing....

 

[J JACKSON]

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

well looks like im gonna try it I'll have to watch the cornering and see how it does i mainly want to shake down the engine and outdrive to make sure i want to finish repairing the rest of the boat or sell it and get another

 

[bruceb58]

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Youv'e lost a small percentage of the surface of the drive. You won't notice a thing and it will not be dangerous in a hard turn. The main purpose of that skeg is more prop protection than anything else.

 

[JustJason]

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Bruce always argues with me......

Like i said different boats behave different ways.... you could have nothing but thrust steering... or ya could be ok.... buy why take mine or bruceB's word for it...

Just go out and try it... and take it easy till you find out.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

My own skeg was previously broken off completely. It was very, very hard to steer in a straight line at idle speeds.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[J JACKSON]

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

well tryed it out today found out it steers fair with out a skeg but i do need to rebuild the carb and i have a ticking noise coming from the rear of the engine area it kinda sounds like a lifter but its behind the motor i think would the gimble bearing make that kind of noise? also the trim tab that sits right above the prop is smooth on mine should it have a fin?

 

[Don S]

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

Re: broken skeg, can i test the boat anyway?

well tryed it out today found out it steers fair with out a skeg

Do you have any idea what it would feel like WITH the skeg?

and i have a ticking noise coming from the rear of the engine area it kinda sounds like a lifter but its behind the motor i think would the gimble bearing make that kind of noise?

Depending on WHERE the sound is coming from, if you only hear it at idle, I would bet you have old worn or burned shutters that no longer have rubber on the edges. The clatter a lot at idle, especially if the engine idle rough.

also the trim tab that sits right above the prop is smooth on mine should it have a fin?

Alpha I Gen II drives with power steering use flat plates.

but i do need to rebuild the carb

How do you know that, or are you just guessing some problem is the carbs fault?

 

[J JACKSON]

Re: broken skeg, tested the boat anyway

well as far as the carb it floods when it sits for 10 min or so the ticking doesn't go away when you rev it up im going to run it on the muffs tomorrow and see if i hear it (couldn't when i ran it before i went to the lake) but i only ran it for about 10- 15 min. what number service manual do i need for this boat?