Fix or Ignore?

[jeffnick]

Believe it or not I was lucky.
We were on the Inside Passage, making our way into Port Simpson knowing full well it was a complicated approach. Unfortunately, I had my GPS zoomed out far enough so it didn't show all the detail/obstructions. Kabang, kaboom! at about 25 mph. The first when I hit the rock, the second as the motor again found the transom.

No damage other than the chunk missing from the skeg. Did the remainder of our Alaska boating with no problem.

Should I have it welded, patch it with fibergalss or just leave it alone?

[RUSTY63]

It wont hurt anything but if you want to have it repaired most prop shops can weld it and make it look new again.

[Neveredge]

Have it welded by someone with a lot of experience welding on gearcases. That chunk is going to cause drag and introduce bubbles into the prop stream which will cause cavitation and greater prop slip. It is also a weak point and may break off under load and ruin your prop.

The reason to make sure about the welder is because if he gets the case to hot it can ruin your lower unit.

[John from IL]

Its a fairly inexpensive repair - I'd fix it. Around me they're getting $75 to fix much worse than that.

-John

[claude]

Get it fixed it is not a bad break, i have had much worse repaired with good results.

Have the welder remove the prop and fill the lower part with water,this keep's the bearing cooler,no problem. good luck...Claude...

[ChampioNman]

Call Richard up at Holden's he can give you the name of the shop in Sparkle city that does their repair work. CM

[jeffnick]

I was at Holden's yesterday, stocking up on XD-100 ($30/gal) for a cruise on the TN River. Didn't think to ask then, but I will when I return.

It's only a 115 w/ WOT of 39mph, so performance isn't an issue, but if I can get it fixed for under $100, I'll do it.

Thanks for the water tip claude; makes me more comfortable with the welding.

I appreciate all the relpies.

[claude]

No problem glad to help....Claude...

[nitro17]

put a skeg guard on it looks better