[bolter15]

I was towing the boat the other day and the motor dropped down off the tilt bracket. The tip of the skeg made contact with the pavement a couple of times and now I can't really tell if it's bent and how much.

Can anyone tell me if the skeg sweeps right or left at the bottom on a 1972 85 hp Evinrude?? Or is it supposed to be a straight fin??

It only made a couple of minor contacts. I'm not sure it's still the right shape.

[wilde1j]

Supposed to be straight. I would leave it alone if not twisted. It's only there to protect the prop and won't affect performance in any way.

[bolter15]

It's acquired a slight twist to the right

The motor was turned to the right and the skeg was pushed backward.

It looks a little bit like a johnson now.

[wilde1j]

You might try straightening, but be careful (it might break if you get too aggressive with it).

[bolter15]

I used a couple of C clamps and a couple of short pieces of hard wood floor board to persuade it back into shape. I worked slowly and also used a couple of very small shims to create just a tiny amount of over bend, and I've got it looking pretty straight again.

No sudden moves, No heat, No pounding...

I think it will track straight through the water....