Repair?

[rjm337]

We had a great boat ride on Saturday, until we loaded up on the trailer. I backed the trailer in, and my wife brought the boat up. She got a bit off kilter, and panicked. Long story short she took the boat to shore beside the boat launch. The prop (14.4 19 aluminum) is damaged beyond repair (warp, and tear), and I will replace rather than try to fix. The lower fin of the Alpha 1 drive took a hit too. It has a gouge out of the fin (see photo). What do I do here? Can I file it smooth and use some touch up paint for corrosion protection? Thanks in advance.

 

[flargin]

Re: Repair?

(You forgot your picture)

if it is not too bad, just file down and paint. You can have it re-welded or use a skeg replacement (Skeg-Guard).

damage to your prop shaft would be the big risk, might want to check to see if it is bent.

 

[rjm337]

Re: Repair?

Will I feel the bent prop shaft as vibration, or does it need to be taken in the shop and inspected?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Repair?

Will I feel the bent prop shaft as vibration, or does it need to be taken in the shop and inspected?

You forgot to tell us just what your outdrive is...!

But...you can do a quick assesment of the prop shaft, by spinning the prop (engine off...in nuetral) and looking for any sign of wobble. This is not exact, by any means, but if you can see any run-out, it needs to go to the shop.

As for the skeg, there are plenty of skeg guards out there. Most of them require drilling several holes...but there is one that doesn't:

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=87651&s_kwcid=adwords_blackfin_skeg

 

[rjm337]

Re: Repair?

Thanks, I think I'll order that skeg guard. I'm more comfortable with an non-drill model! Have you used this one, or seen one on a boat?

The boat info is 2008 Maxum 2000 SR3, Merc 5.0 MPI with Alpha 1 drive.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Repair?

Thanks, I think I'll order that skeg guard. I'm more comfortable with an non-drill model! Have you used this one, or seen one on a boat?

The boat info is 2008 Maxum 2000 SR3, Merc 5.0 MPI with Alpha 1 drive.

Seen one at the boat ramp...looked better than the rest of the outdrive!

I personally don't care for the stainless steel ones...they stand out like a sore thumb, and most boaters know that you are covering up an ugly skeg.

Try going to the Blackfin official website...I remember that they have some good videos showing how they go on, and how much punishment they can take.

Happy boating!