Small crack in lower unit near prop, how big of a problem is it?

[Drcoffee]

the wife and I took out the boat for the last time this season and had a great day out. While putting the boat away I thought I saw some paint peeling, but no, its a crack about 1.5” long at the top of the prop on the the lower unit. Is the unit toast, can it be welded?

boat is a 1995 Rinker 212, w/ Mercruiser 5.7 carb, Alpha one outdrive. Heres a couple of pictures.

 

[achris]

That crack is caused by corrosion building up under the cover nut. You need to remove the nut, pull the bearing carrier and take the housing to a welder...

If you leave it, it will just get worse.

Chris...