How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

[oceansbreeze]

I had a nasty chip out of my skeg, about 1" worth, and my skeg was all wobbly.... when I had the engine winterized, I asked him to see if he could straighten it..

$20 later - my skeg is like new (aside from needing a little touchup paint....)

How did he do it? Must have manually straightened the wobble, then, grind it? Is this the norm, just grind off damaged sections of a skeg and create a new "fin" to it?

Needless to say I'm impressed - I expected a big nick in it still, but I can run my hand underneath it now and it's smooth as heck...

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

If done slowly enough, the skeg can be straightened without cracking it but that still is a real danger. It appears that he did grind it down to remove the dings. If that works for you, fine.

I know that I absolutely hate changing the profile both on skegs and prop blades and would rather spend the 100 bucks to have it welded. But, I tend to be a bit fussy and anal. Mr. Monk is my hero and mentor.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

Yep, looks like he just ground away the damaged portion.

I had one repaired a few years ago (worse than yours) and the shop cut off the skeg and welded on a new one. Looked like new after a coat of paint.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

thanks... I never thought anybody would grind it off - jus texpected it to be straightened.... either way I'm pleased... definitely would get a new one welded on if I damaged it much worse...

Is this a common or acceptable practice for skeg repair? never read anything on iboats prior to this - only to "file down the sharp edges..." performance and handling are not gonna be affected, it's mostly there for a) protect the prop and b) steering correct?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

I would not have gone the route of removing any metal. The skeg has a purpose and that is to protect the prop. Most skegs are long enough to protect the entire prop and ar longer that the "standard" prop blade.

I am a bit partial to having it welded. That chip appeared to be substantial and before I would have ground it off I would have straightened it and added material. I would have it welded or at least added JB weld to smooth it out.

Now you prop is a candidate for a skegguard or have a new one welded on. http://www.iboats.com/Keelguard_Ske...8380907--**********.568001311--view_id.259073 I would want to be back to 100% protection

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

i probably would have never worried about it. if it did not effect performance. there are thousands just like it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

Is that a crack just below the water intake ??

 

[Don S]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

All it would take is a little grinding to straighten out the leading edge of the skeg as shown in this picture. Doesn't change the length a bit, and has to make smoother water flow around the skeg than a couple of chunks missing.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

Believe it or not, Mercury does advertise in some of their literature that skeg shape does make a difference in high speed performance. However, If you are only using the boat for family fun, I doubt if you would ever notice a difference.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

kennyfam: no, not a crack just a scratch, odd location I know, must have caught a branch or something under water... no idea.

Thanks for the input. I looked at the skeg guard earlier this summer (when I hit my first rock...) hoping to prevent further damage...

I know JB endorses these (if I recall correctly) but ... maybe I'm confused. The point of the skeg being aluminum - lets it absorb the impact and "bend" a bit if you hit something... The skeg guard, would likely not do so. That being the case, wouldn't you cause more damage to the skeg if it can't absorb the energy from the impact - thus causing more damage to the lower unit? (hope that makes sense) .... kind of the for same reason you don't want a SS prop on your outdrive if you expect to hit something solid.

 

[lowkee]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

Oceansbreeze, Is that a crack in your prop in the third photo?

I'm with a few of the others on here, that prop is now plenty exposed, which means the next rock or branch will take it out instead of bumping your outdrive (hitting the skeg).

maybe I'm confused. The point of the skeg being aluminum - lets it absorb the impact and "bend" a bit if you hit something... The skeg guard, would likely not do so. .... kind of the for same reason you don't want a SS prop on your outdrive if you expect to hit something solid.

Good question. I was thinking the same thing about those skeg guards. Maybe they are thin enough to just contort instead of chipping? Sort of like a body panel to protect a car's frame? (Just guessing, here)

 

[itsaboattime]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

I"ve had a skeg guard on my 50 horse Johnson for about 5 years now. It works just as well as the undamaged aluminum one. I bought the boat and outboard with the skeg damaged and the steering wheel would vibrate constantly at upper speeds.
The skeg had a big chunk out of it and it had a bend too. I checked it out to be repaired/replaced and it wasn't in the budget. I ordered a skeg guard through Overtons. I had to do a little straightening, and some file work just to be able to get the skeg guard on but 3 days after installation we were on the river and the vibration had disappeared. Cure time on the adhesive, if I remember correctly, is 72 hours. I have bumped a few things and it has held up just fine. Haven't had to replace my prop yet. Of course I never lock my outboard down to minimize any damage that may occur due to hitting somthing.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

Oceansbreeze, Is that a crack in your prop in the third photo?

no sir, part of the mold. There are 2 more as I rotate it - they just seem to stand out a bit more with that color prop - they seem to appear like a shadow... i have a spare black prop as well which is brand new. Now that my mechanic showed me HOW to change it, that may come in handy next year! lol

Good question. I was thinking the same thing about those skeg guards. Maybe they are thin enough to just contort instead of chipping? Sort of like a body panel to protect a car's frame? (Just guessing, here)

I love guessing. It makes it easier to discover we were wrong when the chips are down and you actually run into something! Maybe somebody else can offer more insight on this, as I searched, and didnt find much info other than "yeah, I installed a skeg guard and it works good!"

itsboattime: thanks for the input. I don't have the luxury of keeping my engine unlocked (or if I do, I don't know how) I used to have an 80hp Merc without power tily n trim, and if I hit something, it popped up to avoid damage... but with this 70hp 'Rude - with the power hydraulics, she's locked wherever she is.... Yeah, this bugs me, I wish it would bounce if I hit something.... I'm more worried about breaking the lower end off totally... lol

I have had soem vibration at low speeds since the last ding up.... which i expect will be far less now - I also had a bend in the prop, which has been straightened... depending on the insight I get here about the skeg guard I may order one.... seeing how I have 6 more months before it sees water!!

 

[blouderback]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

Uh, why not ask the mechanic what he did?

 

[itsaboattime]

Re: How did my mechanic repair my skeg?

Well breeze...........obviously proper replacement of the skeg is the best repair. But, if you are on a limited budget, like mine(very limited), a skeg guard is a viable option. I have no qualms about its durability. But, like you said your outboard is locked into place. If you hit something, something's gotta give.

I would rather it be the skeg or prop than my lower unit or worse yet, damage my transom.

I dunno..............j.m.h.o.