Skeg replacement??

[FISH TICK]

Well I have had a mishap Looks like somehow I have knocked half my skeg off on something over the holidays ( really don't know what or when, was fishing in some really rough water??) DON, are there any concerns that I might need to know about getting a replacement skeg welded back on. I see no other concerns such as prop shaft bent( by eye) just a few scares on the prop and of course the skeg. I have a mercury 225xs. Thanks

[esdbass]

Don will certainly chime in as well but I'm about 100% positive he's going to say "Don't do it!" Your going to need a new housing it very unsafe to have a skeg welded on !!!!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news

[FISH TICK]

There are alot of high perfromance shops in my area that specialize in this. I just looked at one that was done and it looks orginal. I would never try this my self or anybody else that does not specialize in that area. Just wondering if there are any concerns?? Why not do it?? Cost is a big issue. New housing ( insurance involved) or $150-350 repair and be done with it. Thanks

[sro114]

I just did the same as you on my 250 pro xs and they are replacing the housing. All the tournament shops I talked to said not to weld a replacement skeg on and the insurance adjuster also recommended a housing replacement. In fact the shop that I use would have required the adjuster to sign a waiver in order to weld a skeg on. The adjuster told me that it has become industry standard to change the housing as there have been some fatality accidents from welded on skegs. On the same token I talked to an old tourney fisherman that is also a machinist who has welded his own up countless times over the years without any problems and he drives like a maniac.

Good luck and hopefully you don't have any unseen damage.

[FISH TICK]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sro114 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just did the same as you on my 250 pro xs and they are replacing the housing.</TD></TR></TABLE>
If they are just replaceing the housing, then they are using your old gears and other???

[esdbass]

Yes they will be using your old gears etc

I'd put it through your insurance and get the new housing, it's the safe way to do this right

[blair]

Don't weld the skeg, get a complete housing..............

[1outlaw]

LMAO @ Eli

Very unsafe to have it welded!!!!!!....Replacement is the only way to go!!!!

[sro114]

They are transferring the parts and I believe there are two minor wear parts they are changing. Not sure what they are or if it is something that just has to be done.

[EuropeanAM]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FISH TICK &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well I have had a mishap Looks like somehow I have knocked half my skeg off on something over the holidays ( really don't know what or when, was fishing in some really rough water??) DON, are there any concerns that I might need to know about getting a replacement skeg welded back on. I see no other concerns such as prop shaft bent( by eye) just a few scares on the prop and of course the skeg. I have a mercury 225xs. Thanks </TD></TR></TABLE>

REPLACE THE HOUSING. I do not, under ANY circumstances recommend welding the skeg on one of these HP Gearcases!

Suffice it to say that if the "welded" skeg were to come apart (or fall off) at high speed, the resulting "undesirable handling characteristics" would be unmanageable for even the "most seasoned" of boat operators.

Your safety, and the safety of anyone within your proximity would be at stake... and it is absolutely NOT worth the risk!

When replacing the housing, gears, shafts, and bearings are transferred into a new housing, and a complete "shimming setup" proceedure is completed. If done properly.... it should be "good as new".

[FISH TICK]

Thanks for the info from all, BUT I am a little confused You say not to get a new skeg welded back ( by a certified tech. that does this work all time). Isn't this is how all those high performance lower units on bullet, allisons, etc. are made. There is a company just down the road that specializes in this. I believe its called http://www.low-h2o.com . Is this not what this company does??? He is working on boats that go alot faster than mine Don't take this wrong. Just wondering whats the difference.

[esdbass]

Maybe your description of the damage to your skeg is a little/ or a lot less worse than what you described? Can you provide us with a photo? Titus specializes in high performance gearcase modifications and noze cone work, I use him for all my gearcase work period BUT!!! I highly doubt he recommend a full skeg replacement ? Has he seen your skeg in person and said he could make it safe?

BTW: Adding a noze cone to an existing case is a lot different than replacing a skeg that has been completely broken off

[Largemouthlou]

Did I miss it or has no one asked what boat your running????

Apearently you didn't notice a change in the boat handling or any ill effects when this half ripped off??

I'm in the middle here where as I wouldn't weld a skeg that runs on a 90 or 100 mph boat I think I would trust Titus's opinion on a sub 80's boat.. I'm sure he has welded more then anyone would care to admit, of course it would depend on amount of damage, location and the condition of what skeg is left... If I was gonna let anyone do it Titus would be the man for sure..

[esdbass]

Lou: No he never said what the motor was on. I'd like to see a picture as well as know what rig the motor's on.

I'm with you on what you said, Titus is the best and I agree fully with what you said.

[FISH TICK]

Sorry for no pictures. As I said in first post, I still have about 1/2 my skeg left. I have shown no one like titus or any other tech. but some fellow tournament anglers that have had work done by him and others said they should be able to fix. A do not have a performance boat 06' 210 procraft 06' 225xs running 72gps with me only. It was very rough water when this mishap happened so I felt no handling problems. NOW, I did go back to the lake today and ran the boat just to make sure no vibrations or other problems-- ran fine--ran same top speed as usual. I was just wondering if there was any other problems to look out for when something like this happens. As you can tell I have been doing alot of research to determine the best action to take ( affordable action). Thanks for all input.

[esdbass]

OK that's a bit clearer but I'd still like to see a picture of your skeg.

The fact you ran the same today is "encouraging" but still not a certain thing. Regardless Titus' opinion after he has seen at least a picture is what counts the most on what way you can go in my book. but aside from his direct OK'ing that he can fix it I can't stand behind anything less than a housing replacement but Titus is the Only one I'd let make that decision if it was me.

[EuropeanAM]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by esdbass &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OK that's a bit clearer but I'd still like to see a picture of your skeg.

The fact you ran the same today is "encouraging" but still not a certain thing. Regardless Titus' opinion after he has seen at least a picture is what counts the most on what way you can go in my book. but aside from his direct OK'ing that he can fix it I can't stand behind anything less than a housing replacement but Titus is the Only one I'd let make that decision if it was me.


</TD></TR></TABLE>

+1

Here's a "general" rule of thumb that I use:

I will perform a skeg repair on a gearcase that is a "non-torquetab" model, so long as the TOP SPEED of the boat does not exceed 55 MPH.

IF top speed exceeds 55 MPH, I will not, under any circumstances, consider repairing the skeg, PERIOD. Too many variables, and I'm just not willing to play "Russian Roulette" with someone else's safety.

Of course... yes, it "can" be done. The only question is: "Should it be done?"

There's my $.02 (for what it's worth).

[FISH TICK]