Skeg repair advice needed

M

Moody Blue

Captain
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
3,136
Well, last weekend my son, really, took the boat out and decided to explore the shore side of the marker buoys. Well needless top say he struck a rock at about 30mph. Fortunately the only damage was a bent/deformed skeg and a slight scar on one blade of the prop.

What I'm wondering is, is it possible to hammer out the damage to the skeg? Anyone done this before that can offer some suggestions?
 
G

gss036

Commander
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Jan 18, 2003
Messages
2,914
Re: Skeg repair advice needed

Depends on how bad it is bent. I have done it, but it takes a lot of patience using 2 hammers. One large and a smaller one, tapping gently up and down the skeg. If it is really bad, may be time to head to a welding shop that does aluminum or use a skeg guard.
Do a google search and you will come up several types.
 
C

Chunder06

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
124
Re: Skeg repair advice needed

As gss036 said depends on how bent it is, I cleaned up a big mother of a rock and removed most of the leading edge of the skeg it had a slight bend, I used o piece of wood as a drift and belted it back into shape I then used a wood rasp to reshape the bottom of the skeg then to a file and finally wet and dry paper, with a good coat of paint you can't tell it was crunched.
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
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May 19, 2001
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26,097
Re: Skeg repair advice needed

If you leave it (no skeg guard) and just get it back into shape you might decide to paint it. Be certain to use zinc chromate primer on the aluminum or your paint job will not last.

If it should happen to break.... a skeg guard or welding will repair it fine. Be sure to have the prop repaired or it will be running out of balance.
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,896
Re: Skeg repair advice needed

And give the paint plenty of time to dry.....helps it to stay put.

Peening is the best way (as mentioned). If you try to grasp it with a large wrench and bend it back, being a casting, it will probably fracture at the bend.

Mark
 
M

Moody Blue

Captain
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
3,136
Re: Skeg repair advice needed

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to have a go at it tomorrow. Wish me luck.

THe damage is about 2-3" long on the leading edge of the skeg and is completely folded back (U shaped) by about 3/4". If I'm not sucessful, can I just shape it as best I can and leave it? I will take care of the prop for sure.
 
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