stupid newbie trick

[nysono]

After reading on here for week I see there is a lot of great info so I thought Id try to get some more. Ok Ill be the first to admit it.......... too fast in unfamiliar water without a depth finder. Needless to say I found some shallow water and lots of mud and sand. My question, after getting boat out of the water and looking at the prop and skeg, I see some "polished" blades (not just the tips either) witha few nicks and a few 1/4 to 3/4 nicks in the skeg (leading edge and bottom). Form the searches Ive done here it sounds like I might be better off replacing the prop to be sure its not out of balance, do you agree??? Second, the skeg, can I leave it as is or do I need the get the SS protector as mentioned. Thanks in advance.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: stupid newbie trick

I wouldn't worry about the skeg. The prop can either be repaired by a prop shop, or you could purchase a new one.....either way do it.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: stupid newbie trick

You should feel any out-of-balance with your prop next time out. There will be a new vibration. <br /><br />We have fish farms here, and the service boats tending these farms take a huge battering. Their props look like Swiss cheeses, and they work well enough. They keep running them day in and day out.<br /><br />It's down to how severe is the damage, and how much you care for your boat - and your wallet.<br /><br />The skeg is not so important. As long as it's straight, a few dings and nicks don't affect the boat much.

 

[sergioy]

Re: stupid newbie trick

I have run props with quite a bit of damage on them with out any problems. I always replace them but until I do it doesn't mean my boat sits on dry land. But I am sure there are alot of folks here that will tell you to replace it emmediately. And hey, they have logged way more hours on the water than I have.

 

[QC]

Re: stupid newbie trick

If you don't feel a vibration in the wheel, the prop is probably OK. But you should buy a new one anyway if you only have the one. This way you can run the new one and the slightly damaged one becomes your spare.<br /><br />Also, you can clean both the prop and skeg up with a file. A hammer can do wonders with the prop too. I have filed skegs down pretty far due to multiple strikes, no biggee. Forget the skeg guard, that's just another way to separate you from the money that you could spend on the new prop. <br /><br />BTW, welcome to Iboats.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: stupid newbie trick

Quote from Quietcat:Forget the skeg guard, that's just another way to separate you from the money that you could spend on the new prop.

Agree completely. The big plus of a soft skeg is that it localises the damage if you hit something hard and fast. Skegs can be repaired, just like props. A skeg guard is harder and less yielding. To my mind, a bad use of money.

 

[Mark42]

Re: stupid newbie trick

Take some sandpaper to the skeg to remove an rough edges and burrs that can cause vibrations or extra drag and cavatation when running.

 

[nysono]

Re: stupid newbie trick

Thanks for the info!!!!!!!!!!! I have it at the dealer now, getting canvas. Service guy said he'd take a look at the prop and skeg. If I need a new prop Ill definately be buying from here. They want $160 for new one, after looking here seems 90-120 is more like it. Thanks again for all the great info on multiple topics.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: stupid newbie trick

What's a skeg? And is there a page with all these parts of boats that I don't know the names of yet?

 

[Mark42]

Re: stupid newbie trick

The skeg is the piece that extends below the prop shaft in front of the prop and is designed to protect the prop from impact damage. It sometimes actually does that.

 

[one more cast]

Re: stupid newbie trick

Welcome nysono, Where in upstate are you at?

 

[nysono]

Re: stupid newbie trick

Watertown area