skeg damage ...home repair

[Crosbyman]

my 75hp ETEC has about 1 to 1.5 of skeg missing at the tip of the skeg. it had previously been repaired but the small section broke off.

it is nothing major really bu it irks me looking at a broken skeg tip.

my local shop want 375$ + 15% taxes to repair it and a small 7.5Merc skeg also missing a chunk.( bigger)

the Merc is beyond my skill level but... the ETEC small section seems easy to " build -up" with some alumiweld rod we see on UTUBES.


anyone ever tried it...followed with buffing using a back up flat surface clamped to the underside of the skeg layed flat on it's side the price asked seems to expensive (gouging)

 

[Scott Danforth]

go to your local radiator shop. they all weld aluminum cheap

pay them $35 (yes, $35) to weld up the skeg (just pull the plug when they weld to not blow the seals out)
dress the welds yourself

 

[Crosbyman]

will try to find a shop nearby ... I can buff and paint !!

see video from utube

 

[rolmops]

There are skegs on the market that fit right over a damaged one. Just google "replacement skeg". Slide it on, tap it up a bit with a hammer, drill a few holes to screw it on and tighten it down and you have a nice shiny new skeg

 

[racerone]

Well---$375 is about $300 too much.----But they quote these jobs because some folks have no idea how much work it is.----And at $375 they likely would repair it / finish it to perfection / prime it and do a factory match on the paint.-----I would get that repaired for case of 24 cold ones.-----Do the paint myself.

 

[Crosbyman]

agree... I am certain I'll find a local shop to do fill-in on the 75hp skeg.

the 7.5hp...well I may bite the bullit :-( but i'll ask the local weld shop before hand just in case they can built it up

i'll let you guys in on the conclusion this winter

thanks

 

[tphoyt]

I’m on board for a proper weld job. I have used similar rods in the past and they worked well but I feel like without penetration of the parent material even the slightest bump will likely leave you back to square one.

 

[flashback]

I'd just dress it up with a grinder until you like the way it looks..

 

[flat&short]

what he said ^^^^^^^^^

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I like the radiator people advice....drain the oil, leave out the plugs and have them slug some on. Grind/polish and paint. Easy peasy.

It's an E-Tech, she's worth it!

 

[Crosbyman]

E-ETEC

 

[OldOMC31]

Just had a propeller repair shop fix the 4" of missing skeg on my dads 1977 Evinrude 85hp. Price was $140 which included matching the Evinrude Gold paint I couldn't find anywhere but he had an old can of it in the back. Guy said he leaves the oil in to help keep the seals cool. He also places wet rags on the lower unit to keep it cool while welding, he said he takes breaks to keep everything as cool as possible. 3x trips out after the repair and the lower unit seals didn't let any water in.

 

[racerone]

Some shops are better at this work then others.----Always been that way.

 

[airshot]

There are skegs on the market that fit right over a damaged one. Just google "replacement skeg". Slide it on, tap it up a bit with a hammer, drill a few holes to screw it on and tighten it down and you have a nice shiny new skeg

There is also a SS unit that slips over broken skags and uses epoxy to hold it in place, no drilling needed. I have heard good things about the epoxy repair units..

 

[Crosbyman]

saw those but.... i'll try some suggestions on local welders first .
those ad-ons are over 125-150 $$$ seems a lot a 1.5inch weld job on my nice ETEC if I can get it welded.

to my eye they do look like the engine skeg was busted....:-(

I'll polish and paint it after

thanks for suggestions anyway

 

[flashback]

Sounds like you have a plan.

 

[airshot]

Let us know how it works out....

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Be interesting to try the aluminum brazing rod....I bought some at the boat show years ago to patch my aluminum boat but couldn't get it to stick. He sure makes it look easy as did the salesman at the boat show.

Might have to try it again as he said it's 2 gen rod. I know when welding aluminum (typically a tig welder) you have to move fast.

 

[Crosbyman]

On the 7.5hp (which I did not post a picture) I have no option but a skeg job after chipping a chunk out of it when I tried to straighten it :-(

Of all my refurbish jobs (15 maybe) in the past 20 years on which I recouped my "hardware costs" ..(coils points carb kits etc..) when I sold ....some of them this one is the big looser

• purchase $100
• the missing small Merc fuel connector $67
• Impeller /pump kit $28
• skeg ... $150 ???
• car b kit $18
• & still looking for a cheap transom clamp

Total $363 (no tank and hose) but hey! it is still less than an afternoon at the Casino. and I end up with a Merc 7.5HP to sell or replace my fine Merc 4HP back-up & troller on my rig

that said I have an option to try on the ETEC..... a thick JB weld application followed up with the grinder to shape in a new tip. I know it is not the best option but I just did a prop fix up on the smaller 7.5 hp and the prop came out nice.

JB weld is not aluminum I realize but the 75hp will never rest on the skeg to snap off the JB..anyway & if it does not work out I'll go have it welded.

 

[racerone]

I first used that aluminum brazing rod about 40 years ago.----Was skeptical at first.----But it really works well !