Help I broke my skeg!

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wribbs

Recruit
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
4
My wife and I rode over 100 miles this past weekend with no problems in our recently acquired Caravelle. It has a 4.3 Merc with an Alpha One drive. As I was putting the boat back on the trailer the prop sucked something into it and damaged the prop and the skeg. I have ordered a new prop but should I be worried about reparing the skeg? It has a chunk about the size of two quarters knocked off the back of it.<br /><br />Thank goodness it happened at the ramp and not 50 miles down river!
 
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Doug Durako

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
519
Re: Help I broke my skeg!

wribbs----Many boat shops repair these----or try a good welder. We have people in our town who work on trailers, springs, hitches, etc. and they can weld a skeg. Just have to be careful not to heat up the seals down there.<br /><br />Make sure you did not crack the unit and are not losing any lower unit gear lube.<br /><br />Put the trailer just a little deeper and trim the unit up when loading and you will avoid this mishap.
 
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MrBill

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2002
Messages
710
Re: Help I broke my skeg!

Unfortunatly you incurred prop damage which the skeg is suppose to minimize, it's one of, if not the primary reason for it. Another skeg repair/replace option if the skeg was significantly worn is to put a skeg repair cap on it. Usually these are stainless steel, placed over the exisiting damaged skeg and are attached with two small screws. It's do-it-yourself job that woorks well. Also, the skeg area is reasonably distant from the internal chambers of the lower unit that hold lube and gears, except for the front portion of the "bullet". Check for cracks as suggested, you should be OK.
 
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wvit100

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 6, 2002
Messages
416
Re: Help I broke my skeg!

I ran a boat for a couple of years that was missing 60% of the skeg and never had any problems. A couple little nicks won't hurt it any. You probably hit bottom running it up on the trailer. While in the driveway run the outdrive all the way down and see if it hits the concrete. If it hits in the driveway it will hit on the ramp.
 
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6MISFITZ

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 16, 2001
Messages
290
Re: Help I broke my skeg!

Have you seen Skeggard?<br />It fits over the damaged section (as long as it is NOT bent over to the side!) and looks as good as new. This item used to be listed in "iboats" but I could only find it online at " www.overtons.com ". Look up your year, make and model.<br /><br />Mike
 
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