Broken skeg- weld on repair, Skeggard, or lower unit replacement?

[mfelthousen]

I broke my skeg, and would appreciate advice on whether this is repairable, or if the lower unit should be replaced. The drive itself seems to be working fine, with no noise. Unfortunately the prop, which was new to start the weekend, also took a hit.

The weird thing is I don't know exactly how this happened. I didn't feel any impact on my last trip.

The lower half of the skeg is deformed, but it looks like the upper half is long enough to support something like a Skeggard replacement (which I can do), and there's clearly enough for a new one to be welded on (which I'd have to find a shop). Is a repair recommended for this type of damage, or is complete replacement the only good option?

Thanks-
Mat

 

[harringtondav]

A good prop shop can weld this up and shape it like new, or cut it off and weld on a replacement. Don't pitch this housing. The hit doesn't look that bad, but I'd spin the prop to make sure the prop shaft isn't bent.

 

[Mohawkmtrs]

Had a customer last year with a practically same skeg issue on a 25 Merc Bigfoot.

I removed the gear case and sent it to a prop shop...my cost was $275.00 CDN.

Have the prop shop clean up your prop as well.

 

[porscheguy]

Repair the skeg. Make the prop shop tell you up front what the repair cost is on the prop. Most aluminum props can be had for $100 or so. I wouldn’t spend more than $50 to repair one.

 

[Rick Stephens]

The skeg damage is darn near nothing. Repairable in very short order. Certainly not in the hundreds of dollar range. Find someone to weld her up when you have time. Personally I'd use two hammers, one to back up the skeg higher up, and the other to straighten the bend. Replace the prop and go boating in the meantime.

 

[Scott Danforth]

most shops can repair that in the time it takes you to order a sandwich and bait.

 

[thumpar]

Take it to a prop shop and have it fixed. Those skeg guards look terrible in my opinion.

 

[SDSeville]

Take it to a prop shop and have it fixed. Those skeg guards look terrible in my opinion.

I like them myself. I also like that I don't have to drive 40 miles each way to a prop shop and spend at least 50% more for a weld job.

 

[nola mike]

I'd try to whack the skeg as straight as possible, and go boating. Doesn't look like it would affect handling much.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Don't need a prop shop for a simple repair like that. Pretty much any welding shop. But I agree, straighten it, go boating. Take care of it when season is over.

 

[stonyloam]

Yeah I am with Rick and Mike, don’t worry about it till off season, then if you want just take the lower to a prop shop, or any good welding shop should be able to do it.