Skeg Repair

[rosuallu]

I just did a number of the skeg of my F150. Tangled with something that broke a chunk out of the rear/backside of the skeg (prop side) starting immediately below the cavitation plate about 3" long and 1" deep. Also did a number on the prop.

Couple questions:

1. How easy is it to fix and does it need to be fixed?
2. Right after doing this - I couldn't or wouldn't go over 40 mph because it was throwing a roster tail that it had never done before. Would this be caused by the chunk missing or the mashed prop?
3. The exhaust sounds louder - it started right after I did this.

Any input is greatly appreciated. What an expensive day.

[esoxfly]

You got insurance? You're going to need it....and that's from a guy who's filed two insurance claims on one motor in less than a year.

Sounds like you did more than just damage the skeg. In fact, I'd say the skeg is the least of your worries. I'd say a bent prop shaft at the least. Do/did you feel a vibration? How fast were you going when it happened? Did you see any kind of sheen behind the motor as you ran it? How "smashed" is the prop? Got pics? When you turn the prop by hand does it make noise; can you see run out in the shaft?

But to answer your question, there's guys that have asked this before about bent skegs, broken skegs and so on, and guys seem to run them like that.

[rosuallu]

There is no vibration, no noise, and it spins fine. It happened just coming up to speed......hang on a minute while I swallow my pride....what happened is that I forgot to remove the transom saver. Dumbest thing I ever did. It was pouring when I launched and rushed. I just got on plane but wasn't going fast. Something didn't sound right but I figured between the rain and having my ears all covered that it was nothing. I knuckled it and bang - there she goes.

There was no sheen and the prop has some decent "dings", but just on one blade.