Skeg damage management...

'04 200 ho di

A friend of mine accidentally backed into my skeg with his hitch. Knocked a 2-3" equilateral triangle off of the trailing edge of the skeg- basically the trailing tip.

My local evinrude expert recommends a new housing. He has been unimpressed by welding longevity and has real concerns about the bullet getting warped by the heat regardless of welding technique used.

Another merc friend recommends welding- as do the guys at the BassCat dealership here.

The guy that hit it will be surprised I dont want a skegguard.

I'm inclined to have a new housing but obviously the cost is significant versus the others-

What gives ya'll?


Ward

A GOOD prop shop can fix you right up and you will never know it was damaged.

I assume you were talking about welding it? I know cosmetically it will look good- I am more concerned about the heat in welding it-

What about heat on the bullet causing gearcase warping?

Seen it?

If you cannot get the insurance company or the individual to go for a new replacement and you have concerns about welding then why not repair with a Skeg Gard. I did it when I knocked a chunk out of mine and it works great and looks good. They will take a beating!

I have never seen a problem with a welded skeg.

I'm with Fred, no more than you will be replacing, a prop shop can fix it like new. You shouldn't have problems with it.JMHO

I hit something under the surface of the water, it took about 2 or 3 inches off my skeg, it looked like crap to me. I repaired it myself with J B Weld, and repainted it. It looks like the damage was never there now.

J&B Weld? Really? Never thought of that.

Okay, so educate me, whats the difference in performance if there's a 2 inch section of lower skeg missing?

If you got a boat that runs 60 plus u better take it to a pro,,,,,

Mic my damage was on the leading edge of the skeg more vertical and not very deep. It was not very severe, only in my eyes. I used the putty type of J-B. Let it set, then I sand the skeg down and repainted it. If its serious damage I agree with the Witch Dr. take it to the shop.