Skeg Replacement

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
rlboeri
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2016 11:45 am

Skeg Replacement

Postby rlboeri » Fri Sep 14, 2018 2:59 pm

Hi All,

This is a tough one to admit to. My son and I were boating in Lake Champlain this past weekend. We were having a great time when on the last day there we ran into an "uncharted" rock. We were doing about 20 mph and tore the skeg right off the 2 1/2 year old Evinrude E-Tec 90. Ugh! Also dinged up the stainless steel Viper prop. I wanted barf right there. It could not have hurt more if I cut myself.

There is about 1 to 2 inches of skeg left. What is the best way to repair this? can a new skeg be welded on or do i need a whole new lower unit? Can the stainless prop be repaired? The motor seems to run fine but we didn't push it after the grounding. I love this motor.

Any help would be appreciated.

Bob

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Phil T
Posts: 2602
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:08 pm
Location: Was Maine. Temporarily Kentucky

Re: Skeg Replacement

Postby Phil T » Fri Sep 14, 2018 3:18 pm

Oh Bob, you are naughty!

Consider the price of this versus a weld repair. Not sure which is best.

https://keelguard.com/megaware-skegguard/

As for the prop, have a photo?
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

Jefecinco
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:35 pm
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Re: Skeg Replacement

Postby Jefecinco » Sat Sep 15, 2018 10:04 am

If enough skeg material remains to mount the Skegguard securely that would be an easy DIY repair. If the remainder of the skeg is malformed beyond your ability to straighten it a replacement skeg is indicated. It's a simple repair and most outboard engine repair shops have done the job many times. A decent repair shop should be able to make the repair without removing the engine.
Butch

jimh
Posts: 11670
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Cost of propeller repairs

Postby jimh » Sat Sep 15, 2018 10:15 am

If the propeller is only "dinged" then it can likely be repairs for perhaps $185 or perhaps less (see below). Usually in areas with a lot of outboard engine boaters, there is a propeller repair place somewhere in the vicinity.

In SE Michigan there is a big operation that rebuilds and repairs propellers. They go around to many dealers, pick up damaged propellers, and take them back to their main shop for repair. Then a week later they make the same route again, dropping off the repaired propellers and picking up more damaged ones. They also work with individual customers by shipping propellers directly to them. The company has been around for decades. I think they go back to even before the days of Chris-Craft wooden boats. They were founded in 1900 and are still family run.

Henry H. Smith Company, Inc.
1880 Fruit St
Clay Township, MI 48001
(810) 794-4222

https://henryhsmith.com/

https://henryhsmith.com/product/stainle ... er-repair/

They seem to think a three-blade stainless steel propeller up to 16-inch diameter will cost $185 to repair and ship back to you.

Of course, you would consider the cost of repair compared to buying a used propeller that was in original condition. Check for a local firm that does this. You can use the H. H. Smith price as a benchmark.

dtmackey
Posts: 760
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:29 pm

Re: Skeg Replacement

Postby dtmackey » Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:15 pm

I'm not a fan of the skeg guard after the damage is already done. I suppose it's a way of getting back on the water quick, but the clean hydrodynamics of the OEM skeg is what I consider idea. Bandaid on a broken arm is the analogy I use.

I bought an outboard from a Fire Dept in W. Virgina for short money that was damaged. I rebuilt it for my last Whaler and the skeg was damaged. The repair process below is probably a little more involved than what most need.

Image

I removed the gears because I was concerned about the heat, but in hindsight this was unnecessary and I would've only removed the bearing carrier since the o-rings may have a problem with heat from welding.
Image

Alloy skegs are readily available for almost any motor.
https://i.imgur.com/FMqPCkjl.jpg

After a nice TIG welded bead.
https://i.imgur.com/Wxqoo0Rl.jpg

Sandblasted and ready for paint with a few other projects I had going on that winter.
Image

Painted with chromate etch primer, epoxy primer and acrylic urethane top coat.
Image

Mounted and ready for water.
Image

D-

Jefecinco
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:35 pm
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Re: Skeg Replacement

Postby Jefecinco » Wed Sep 19, 2018 8:54 am

I doubt there is any measurable difference in performance between a Skegguard repair and a weld repair. The Skegguard may not be a cosmetically perfect repair compared to a new welded on skeg with a fared weld but it is an effective repair unless the skeg has suffered more than moderate damage.

I have done expedient repairs to the skeg on a Verado engine with a rubber mallet, file and sandpaper followed by a little spray can paint. The skeg now has more rake than when the engine was new but it's unnoticeable. The skeg continues to do a fine job protecting the propeller which I believe is it's primary function.
Butch