Simple Skeg alignment question

[Yesterday]

Should the an outboard's skeg be perfectly in line with the remainder of the lower unit? Or does it have a slight angle to offset for prop spin? I'm guessing there should be no angle but I just want to confirm this before I start persuasive surgery. (Rubber Mallet)

 

[mercurymang]

Re: Simple Skeg alignment question

My understanding is that is for fine tuning. It's analogous to getting your car aligned. Additionally, it serves as a sacrificial anode (I believe) so that electrolysis eat at it and not your motor. Lastly, I think the word skeg actually refers to the lower part (fin looking thingy) of the lower unit (the part that rub's the ground if you forget to trim up).

 

[Laddies]

Re: Simple Skeg alignment question

The skag is in line and the trim tab is set in the direction the wheel pulls at WOT to take the torque out of the wheel

 

[Yesterday]

Re: Simple Skeg alignment question

OK I was afraid of that. Mine's been welded at some point and who ever did it didn't take great care in aligning it when putting it back on. I'll have to try and straighten it out. Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Simple Skeg alignment question

OK I was afraid of that. Mine's been welded at some point and who ever did it didn't take great care in aligning it when putting it back on. I'll have to try and straighten it out. Thanks a bunch!!

I don't think you want to do that. Cast alum is brittle and it gets mad at you if you bang or prise on it. Leave it be. As Laddies said, the Zinc trim tab at the end of the antivent plate is for making steering corrections.

Mark

 

[aussieflash]

Re: Simple Skeg alignment question

If its not pulling leave it alone,otherwise adjust trim tab only.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Simple Skeg alignment question

I don't think you want to do that. Cast alum is brittle and it gets mad at you if you bang or prise on it. Leave it be. As Laddies said, the Zinc trim tab at the end of the antivent plate is for making steering corrections.

Mark

^^^+1 Big time!!

 

[Yesterday]

Re: Simple Skeg alignment question

I don't know if it's pulling or not because it's never been on my boat. The bend was substantial. I managed to straighten some without stressing it too much, and intend to perhaps use filler and filing to work it a little straighter. The replacement piece was an aprox 1/4" thick piece of solid aluminum so there's some room to taper it. It's also too narrow in the central area.