Hit Rock broken skeg

[salmonquest]

I was fishing in Canada and making a run back to camp. I hit an unmarked rock that was out in the channel it broke the skeg off and dented the cone shaped housing on lower unit approx. 3/8" deep. This caused a small crack and it was leaking oil. We pulled the boat, drained the oil. Cleaned the area and applied jb weld. It sat over night and we refilled with oil. It ran fine the next two days. I am going to look at a shop to repair the skeg. Anyone have experience with this? What should I do about the cracked housing? The jb weld seems to be holding fine. Can it be welded? I am worried that if it can be welded the process will cause expansion an warp the gears or housing more. Any help here would be appreciated.

[BenLubbs]

I would think it could be welded at low heat and not cause any damage to the gears but I have never had the lower housing apart see how close the gears actually are. I've used JB weld on cracked oil pans on cars before with good results but I'm not sure if the same would be true for something running in water:confused: I would check with a marina, I'm sure you are not the only one that has done this

[Just Hook'n]

Ouch man.

I think they can weld it (good aluminum welder).

Might want to start looking for an outdrive.

I'm doing the same.

Actually looking (lately) at a cheap beat up boat for salvage with a good outdrive.

So far not been too lucky though.

[2UNREEL]

I've got an alpha 1 lower unit sitting in the garage if anyone needs to try it out, let me know. Its got a brand new ss skeg guard with 30min on it.

[sherman51]

yes you can get the lower welded. but you need to take it to a good welding shop where they can weld aluminum. as for the skeg i have heard of people having them welded back on. or if there is enough of the old one left you can get bolt on replacements. i think you can find them at places like bass pro or cabelas or try west marine. hope this helps.

sherman

yes they have them at cabelas. they are made from a polished stainless steel. just go down the list at the bottom until you find the one you need. these are alittle pricey so i would check around before i bought.

sherman

[salmonquest]

I have been told that one purpose of the skeg is to be sacrificial and protect the prop, much the way it happened in this incident and that the bolt on skegs are too strong. Can anyone verify this?

[Paulywood]

I have heard that the bolt on skegs are too strong also. I know people that have had skegs welded back on with no issues. As far as the housing goes, I would not trust the JB Weld. I have seen it fail before. The housing can also be welded, like the skeg. But the prop shaft might have to be removed. I would talk to a marine mechanic and a good welder, get a professional opinion or 2.