Broken skeg

[Old Salt]

I am looking at used boats and both of the ones I am interested in have Merc motors 25 and 30 hp. Both look like the bottom of the skeg has been broken off (I've only seen photos). How serious a problem is this? They are 14' aluminum fishing boats.<br /><br />As always, any advice is greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Old Salt

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Broken skeg

Are they completely broken off or just partially worn/broken? A prop fix shop can fix it if it's not too bad.<br /><br />I'd recommend to take a pic of it and show it to a prop fix shop.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Broken skeg

Broke off half the skeg on my 75hp Had it repaired and you would never know the differance!!<br />It's no big deal to have it repaired !!!

 

[Old Salt]

Re: Broken skeg

It looks like both of them are broken off midway. I can't see any prop damage in the picture but they could have been replaced. In neither case is it near the cavitation plate.<br /><br />Old Salt

 

[Alex65]

Re: Broken skeg

It looks like both of them are broken off midway. I can't see any prop damage in the picture but they could have been replaced. In neither case is it near the cavitation plate.<br /><br />Old Salt <br /><br />Old Salt: I live here in New England (Gloucester, Ma.) & there is a TON of rocks etc. I have cracked my skeg twice on my 1997 Mariner 135 HP (V6) One time pretty bad. Each time it cost appx. $200.00 to repair. Now, keep in mind this is a larger engine & the lower unit needs to come off. <br /><br />Just sold my Robalo 20' w/ the Mariner on back. The fixed skeg was done about 2 months ago & you could never, ever tell it was worked on! Kind of like auto-body work. So, in short, it's no real biggie.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Alex

 

[MajBach]

Re: Broken skeg

Fixing the skeg shouldn't be a worry; with paint it is less than $100 job. What you should be concerned with is IF the prop was significantly damaged (he might have replaced it), the drive shaft could be out of round which will kill the seal to your gearcase. The last shaft I bought was $1600. See if you can make some type of agreement with the seller to protect yourself from this possible expense. With the right instrument, it's a very simple test if you cant get the OB to a mechanic, but you need to borrow the measuring tool from a shop to do it.

 

[DJ]

Re: Broken skeg

I'm sure these folks can fix you up.<br /><br /> http://www.skeggard.com/

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Broken skeg

Old Salt, I cracked off half my skeg on my 150 Merc. The dealer sole me a replacement for less than $20 (1989 price), and I had the old skeg cut off and the new one welded on for $60. The welder had experience with this kind of repair and said it was unnecessary to drain the gearcase. I did not have to replace any seals or anything. The gearcase is still in use, and has never required resealing or any other repair.