chewed up skeg... fixable?

**aaron78viper** · 10-16-2014, 09:41 PM

can this skeg be built up somehow? make it longer front to back, and maybe further back with a tab? If so, how would you do it?

**frederick55** · 10-17-2014, 03:36 PM

I increased the size of my OMC lower to approximate Sportmaster dimensions. Took it to a local ship repair outfit at the port with a template for them to work from. This is before I evened out the bottom. You might want to weld the factory water intakes too.

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**Capt.Insane-o** · 10-17-2014, 03:43 PM

Leading edge yes... trailing edge no.

**aaron78viper** · 10-17-2014, 04:19 PM

if I could get 1/8th inch aluminum from work, would that safe to weld on that leading edge? I believe it is 6061 or 7075?

**Capt.Insane-o** · 10-17-2014, 05:32 PM

Your problem lies in the tip and trailing edge. I would'nt even bother with it. Find another case, and if your bucks down, knock the cone off of that one and reuse it. If this is for your Viper the last thing you want to be doing is scabbing a skeg together.

**aaron78viper** · 10-17-2014, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Capt.Insane-o

Your problem lies in the tip and trailing edge. I would'nt even bother with it. Find another case, and if your bucks down, knock the cone off of that one and reuse it. If this is for your Viper the last thing you want to be doing is scabbing a skeg together.

It is going to be for the viper. I have plenty of time to get a new case before spring, boat isn't done yet.. but I got a good deal overall so I don't mind looking for a cleaner case this winter

**JOLLEY** · 10-23-2014, 11:39 AM

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**Raceman** · 10-23-2014, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by JOLLEY

Be sure to have a notched pattern (up/down zig-zag or notch to offer more surface area at the welds) on both the housing and replacement skeg

That should NEVER be done to be run on a high performance boat. VERY dangerous. The trouble with doing it on a low perf boat is that it might find it's way onto something else later and kill somebody. That case should be in the scrap bin.

**Mike Nass** · 10-23-2014, 06:47 PM

Here are some shots of a customers boat... he was running a 2.5 Drag on a Cougar Omega... boat had just been into local fishing boat shop where they pulled the gear-case apart to replace some leaking seals... probably had it in a vise holding it by the Skeg??? only speculating... but, next day they went out and made some passes and at 98 MPH, the skeg broke, boat spun hard and threw both driver and passenger through the side of the boat, tore the steering wheel out of the dash... both guys were a bit beat up but miraculously neither seriously hurt... anyway, I gained a whole lot of respect for not screwing at all with skegs... inspect them closely... Like raceman said, it could be fixed fine for a slower boat today, but you just don't know where it may end up tomorrow... throw it in the trash! this emepty gear case will be going in the trash for sure!

Mike

**Rayzor** · 10-23-2014, 07:25 PM

We replaced a skeg on my buddies 2.5/260/CLE gearcase and it blew off the first hard corner I threw it into. We tried the cheap route, and it didn't work - I do not recommend welding skegs on.........

**JOLLEY** · 10-24-2014, 07:49 AM

That makes a lot of sense. I see what you mean about it ending up on someone else's Hi-Po boat later and causing an incident. Those type of repair were on a pontoon. Sorry for the negligent info. DO NOT REPAIR SKEGS is what I’ll live by from now on. Thanks Guys for the important insight. Bill

**Capt.Insane-o** · 10-24-2014, 12:06 PM

I have a clean case if you need one.

**aaron78viper** · 10-24-2014, 04:22 PM

capt, im gonna pm you

**olboatman** · 10-24-2014, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by JOLLEY

That makes a lot of sense. I see what you mean about it ending up on someone else's Hi-Po boat later and causing an incident. Those type of repair were on a pontoon. Sorry for the negligent info. DO NOT REPAIR SKEGS is what I’ll live by from now on. Thanks Guys for the important insight. Bill

Its good to see safety up front here!!!

As I told my Deep Wreck Diving students years ago "Its only your life--and your decision" Gary