Broken Skeg

Bob Meola

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Was running back to dock must have hit something didn't know it until I back into slip. Raised motors and noticed port motor skeg was damaged. A piece snapped off. Can I still run boat? I will have it fixed after I pull boat in November.
 

DennisG01

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It sounds like it's not a huge piece? But, regardless, yes, go ahead and run the boat. You will see absolutely zero difference in performance. The skegs primary job is simply to protect the prop. Personally, I'm not a fan of those skeg guards. The material is typically SS, which is harder than the aluminum skeg. Which, if you hit something again, could cause the original skeg to break off too close to the gear housing making it impossible, or near impossible, to fix the skeg. The bolts that are used are "supposed" to shear off, but I have personally seen that NOT happen.

The only thing I would do is to smooth the jagged edges a bit with a file. 5 minutes with a file and you're good to go.
 

wrxhoon

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[QUOTE="

The only thing I would do is to smooth the jagged edges a bit with a file. 5 minutes with a file and you're good to go.[/QUOTE]

I would second that and if it is a small piece missing I wouldn't bother pulling it off to weld it.
 

seasick

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I had a broken skeg repaired this past year mainly because it annoyed me to look at it. About 3-4 inches broke off. As mentioned, there is no real performance issues except if the remaining skeg is bent. Depending on the size and angle of the bend, it can add a bit of steering torque.
That said, during the off season, I had the skeg replaced. The welder said he would rather replace the whole skeg in my case as opposed to just replacing the 3 inch piece. He said the skeg had a slight bend to it. Anyway, 3 days and $225 later, the unit looked brand new. A very nice job. Note that I left the oil in the LU but did drain and change after the fix. The pump was not damaged at all.
 

Bob Meola

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I had a broken skeg repaired this past year mainly because it annoyed me to look at it. About 3-4 inches broke off. As mentioned, there is no real performance issues except if the remaining skeg is bent. Depending on the size and angle of the bend, it can add a bit of steering torque.
That said, during the off season, I had the skeg replaced. The welder said he would rather replace the whole skeg in my case as opposed to just replacing the 3 inch piece. He said the skeg had a slight bend to it. Anyway, 3 days and $225 later, the unit looked brand new. A very nice job. Note that I left the oil in the LU but did drain and change after the fix. The pump was not damaged at all.
I had a broken skeg repaired this past year mainly because it annoyed me to look at it. About 3-4 inches broke off. As mentioned, there is no real performance issues except if the remaining skeg is bent. Depending on the size and angle of the bend, it can add a bit of steering torque.
That said, during the off season, I had the skeg replaced. The welder said he would rather replace the whole skeg in my case as opposed to just replacing the 3 inch piece. He said the skeg had a slight bend to it. Anyway, 3 days and $225 later, the unit looked brand new. A very nice job. Note that I left the oil in the LU but did drain and change after the fix. The pump was not damaged at all.
 

Fishtales

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If not a big piece you are fine. You can bolt on a piece or have it welded.