Lower Fin broke

[Jugfisher]

Hey guys, finally wised up and got rid of the old mercury and got a 90 h.p. Evinrude. 1988 model.

On my way home from the first fishing trip the transom saver fell off of the motor and my outboard went crashing to the pavement at 50 mph. The only damage sustained was about a 1 inch by 1/2 inch chip off the lower fin below the prop. How important is this. Can I just grind it off and smooth it out. it isnt bent at all just missing a small piece. If I have to have it repaird who would I take it to. Can I take it to a welding fab shop or will I need a new lower unit casing. Any help is appreciated.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Lower Fin broke

That's a fairly simple welding job for a competent welder. You can buy the piece here: http://www.iboats.com/Replacement-S...4296561--**********.640544264--view_id.237032

If you want to DIY, use a SkegGard: http://www.iboats.com/Skeggard-Repa...64296561--**********.232954827--view_id.39561

Welding should be the less expensive option - no need to remove the lower unit or gear oil.

It's a good idea to fix it because it is good protection for the propeller and propeller shaft if you strike anything.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Lower Fin broke

Well the fin did it's job albeit out of the water. A competent welder should be able to fix it up no problem. get it fixed so that it can do it's job if there is a next time in or out of the water.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Lower Fin broke

Which dimension did you lose the full inch on? I would be more concerned about losing an inch vertically, as opposed to horizontally, especially if the skeg still has enough left, to do its job in regard to prop protection and tracking characteristics.

If that is the case, I would just grind it down, until I had rounded edges with no cracks anywhere. Removing any remaining cracks is important, because they become pathways for future damage.



???

 

[Jugfisher]

Re: Lower Fin broke

It boke about 1 inch off the bottom and 1/2 an inch on the rear going up. There are no other cracks or breaks on it at all. if I go with a skeg cover do I need to drill out the screw holes ?

 

[ezeke]

Re: Lower Fin broke

You tap the SkegGard in place, then use the pre-drilled holes in the SkegGard to guide drillng two holes in the skeg. The fittings and instructions come with the SkegGard.

The thumbnail is one of my drives with a SkegGard.