skeg repair

[mike456]

1992 Alpha 1 Gen II - when pulled boat out last Fall I noticed that about 2 inches of skeg was broken off. No idea how or when it happend but everything ran fine last year and prop is undamaged. Should I repair this? I see there is a product call Skegguard that bolts on to whats left ($100). I have to wonder about bolting a big piece of stainless unto my allumium outdrive (corrosion issues?). Overtons sells one that is made out of some sort of black composit material ($70). Any advice, opinions or experience with either of these is apperciated.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: skeg repair

As long as it did not cause handling issues it will not hurt anything.
If the boat stays in the water all summer i would go with the composite type skeg guard.

 

[Phish555]

Re: skeg repair

Just had my skeg repaired! Total cost was just over 400.00, but also had someother stuff done. New waterpump, had the outdrive taken off, and checked out, new gaskets, check bellows, ect.....
I love how the new skeg looks, can't even tell it was damaged.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: skeg repair

I used that skeg guard from overtons. My whole skeg (darn near) broke off on my seatrial Hit a log on the Ohio. Anyway, its a nice piece and fits great. No corrosion issues. But then again Mines trailered.

 

[cbear34]

Re: skeg repair

I have the Skeggard on my Alpha I. Original skeg was broken off at the tip and bent pretty good. Cut off what I needed to and installed it. Works great, no corrosion issues but mine is also trailered and garaged.

 

[Sinko]

Re: skeg repair

I noticed someone mentioned cutting off a bit of bent skeg. I currently have mine bent to the right (looking from behind) and the boat is pulling hard left at higher speeds. Would this direction bend cause the left pull and do you think taking off the bent portion is wise?

 

[rokhedjo]

Re: skeg repair

It will act as a trim tab does on an aircraft, if it is bent to the left, it will tryu to move the outdrive to the right and vice versa, if nothing else, cut the bent part off.

 

[5150abf]

Re: skeg repair

Sinko, if it isn't bent too bad you can bend it back, I have done it several times.
Make sure you have a heavy backer to put on the side you want to bend it to and work it slowly with a big rubber hammer or dead blow, go slow and tap it till it is where you want it.

 

[Sinko]

Re: skeg repair

Success! Thanks guys! Got it as straight as I could. I did throw a bit of heat to it for good measure. I'll try to take it out Monday on Lake Ontario to test it out. Hope the left is no more!