skeg just barely bent

[joho5]

I was asking about my boat pulling to the right a bit and I figured out that motor torque can cause this. I was looking a little closer today and I noticed that the skeg is just slightly bent to where it would push the motor to the right. Not much, but it is a little. I was wondering if the skeg was hollow, or if any gear lub goes down that far. Or if it was just solid...if its solid, is it easy to bang it back straight and what is the best way to do this if you can?

Leather, wood, etc...?

thanks

 

[5150abf]

Re: skeg just barely bent

The skeg is solid and can be bent back but you need to be careful, you can also snap them off.

Get a heavy backer, peice of steel or a big steel hammer and place that on the side you need to bend it too then tap (TAP- to hit something slightly harder than you would hit your own finger) it back into place, use alot of light hits not a coule big ones.

If you are worried about scratches put a couple peices of tape on the hammer.

 

[gss036]

Re: skeg just barely bent

Many motors have an adjustable zinc w/a small type skeg on them, this will also make a motor/boat pull if not adjusted properly.

 

[stackz]

Re: skeg just barely bent

I've just straightened my skeg out with a wood block and a hammer.

also, might want to think about putting a skeg guard over it as well.

 

[joho5]

Re: skeg just barely bent

Many motors have an adjustable zinc w/a small type skeg on them, this will also make a motor/boat pull if not adjusted properly.

I have a zinc anode on this motor but it isnt a fin or anything that would affect motor pull. Its just a oval lead looking shot bolted on the side of one of the cavitation plate.

looks almost like a weight they use to balance a tire.