Skeg snapped off

[erosenwinkel]

At the end of last season when I pulled my boat out of the water I noticed at some point I had lost 80% of the skeg. Since it is never going to be in a beauty contest, can I just bolt a piece of aluminum on the remailing portion and grind it till it looks like its supposed to. If this can be done, is there anything I need to be careful of? I know improper welding can cause excessive heat which isn't any good so I was going to bolt on and grind away. Any comments?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Skeg snapped off



Whatever floats your boat. Here's one I was too cheap to get welded and I still have not learned to weld aluminum myself. I was lucky in that I caught it before it actually snapped but you can see there is not much left above the crack. SO: Next best thing--a plate on each side, some good epoxy, and a couple of screws.

 

[erosenwinkel]

Re: Skeg snapped off

Except for the 100 buck Skegmate. is there a more cost effective way to bolt something on? I can't weld aluminum, can I use some weldable steel plate and simply epoxy and screw it in place. Grind smooth and paint. Is that what you had in mind. I don't have a whole lot left, are they under a ton of pressure or do they just cut through the water? Aluminum/steel contact gonna cause any real problems in the next 5 years? I can weld up something "like" a skegmate, can't I?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Skeg snapped off

Steel? STEEL? Steel has no place on an outboard. Aluminum or stainless steel is the choice. Use two plates with a spacer in between, attach with screws and epoxy, then grind to a sharp entry. Unless you go finding stumps and rocks it should last a while.

AND, by the way, the skeg is not really necessary. The engine will run and turn fine without it. So, your other option is to grind the remainder smooth.

 

[erosenwinkel]

Re: Skeg snapped off

SEE!!! Glad I asked. I am afraid I don't have too much left. I have a 125hp. Maybe an inch to nothing, obviously I wish I had more. What brand of epoxy should I use, anything you use that is really good? Thanks!