Broken Skeg 1998 115 Evinrude HELP BB***

[mrbutchie]

got call last week from someone from our marina saying they bumped our skeg and may have done some damage.......#$#$%$%$%^$!!!

bend it like a hockey stick and snapped a good pcs off.

now here we are just as the season heats up and we got a wounded boat. just dropped it in april after BB got it running like a top and we installed new electronics.

what will using a bent skeg to do the rest of the year use?

ran the boat to the CM reef and ran well had a little over steer but i think if i cut the bend off i can hold it until the off season.

as long as i can keep people from hitting the boat


we are due for water pumps this off season and will be sending it to BB for that.


i have to call Joe @ BB and see if he has a used lower unit cover or whatelse to do.


guy that hit says he or his insurace will take care of it.

[Flyguy784]

Happened to me. Took a propane torch a block of wood and a hammer. Warmed up the aluminum, WARMED UP, and pounded it out flat. Then took a course file and dressed it smooth. Worked perfectly. In the winter, took it to my service guy, he welded a piece on and ground it to original shape, painted it and you'd never know.

[MargaritaVille]

That doesn't look bad at all.

The steering is the only thing that will really be affected.

Check out these
http://www.marineparts.com/sierra/sierra111.aspx

I had a 1996 engine that was damaged, but I never bothered fixing it.

[sundance1]

Ran a boat for two years with a bet skeg. only time noticed any thin was when I was backing up

[Capt. Scott]

These two choices seem to be OK.....lot's of boaters have done both...

MargaritaVille's
or
Flyguy784's

Can run without but I wouldn't run too long with a severely bent one as it might also lead to vibrations at different speeds....

[barnaclebillsmarine]

Its not that bad. I would not worry about it till the end of the year.

[annak]

on top of the prop there is a steering finn you can adjust it left/right so when you are running the boat it will run stright and true. will not take long to find the right location

[KING MARINE OUTBOARD]

If anyone ever needs skegs or cavitation plates welded or repaired we have all the equipment on site and keep skegs in stock.

[mrbutchie]

Its not that bad. I would not worry about it till the end of the year.

Joe

how are we gonna fix it?

replace the lower unit housing used one? weld on a new skeg?


i need to get an estimate so I can get it to the guy that hit me.


Butch

[MLINDERNWW]

i bet you catch more fish

[tight lipped]

If u r not sure I recommend letting a pro do it, heating it up may damage the seals in the gear box, then your cost goes up.... Aluminim is a great heat conductor, a torch will heat all the material up before it becomes pliable enought to bend back. I would leave it as it

[Andrew134]

Check ebay for Skeggard Skegs. Im told they bolt on with no welding. Good luck!

[Maritime Matt]

Use it the way it is. It is not that bad. The right way for the repair is to cut the old one off and weld a replacement on. I've seen it done many times. I've straitened quite a few myself also. Capt.Matt.

[barnaclebillsmarine]

A new skeg will be welded into place. It happens all the time.

[Flyguy784]

I'm wondering however if you do not straighten it, at least marginaly. Will not the steering system be working overtime to keep you tracking straight? I believe it will. You'll be fighting the bends influence constantly. If you adjust the torque compensating fin atop the prop you'll be dropping efficiency, you may not have to compensate at the helm but you'll lose mileage. I'm telling you, tapping that thing straight will take 10 minutes, if that. I agree that heating the skeg with a torch would possibly damage seals. I used a heat gun, like for stripping paint. Simply raising the temp on that aluminum 50 degrees will make a differance.