Skeg: To weld or not to weld-

**1BadAction** · 04-03-2004, 06:20 PM

That is the question. This thing broke on me today, i was just about 1/8 mile from where i took off so i was only going 55 or so. It let loose and the boat instantly dove to the left. i gathered it up and went back to the ramp on plane. (crabbed really bad-a freagin weird feeling) it had already been welded on, and the dealer i got it from didnt tell me, probably cause i wouldnt have bought the motor if he did...

anyways i was thinking of getting a sportmaster case, or slotting the bullet on the Mill so the new billet skeg fit into the lower with a mortised-type joint (like woodworking) so it had a mechanical fit before it was welded on. in that case, the skeg would have to tear before it came off, so it would really be strong as new.

**Scream And Fly** · 04-03-2004, 07:03 PM

Simple answer: Never use a welded skeg on any high performance application.

Your best bet would be to get a stock Sportmaster

Greg

**mendo** · 04-03-2004, 07:06 PM

If you think it got squirly at 55, imagine faster, I would not take the chance, buy the new one.

**Techno** · 04-03-2004, 07:07 PM

Welding a "billet" chunk on is not only a mis-use of the term Billet.

But you would be mixing 2 different types of aluminum.

Just for the ell of it go back to the dealer and ask about it. Maybe he'll honor the LU and at least give an unbroken one.

**1BadAction** · 04-03-2004, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by Techno
Just for the ell of it go back to the dealer and ask about it. Maybe he'll honor the LU and at least give an unbroken one.

BLAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHA fat chance of that. i guess my summer is shot...

**Raceman** · 04-03-2004, 07:45 PM

Welding a skeg on a high perf boat makes as much sense as switching to a single cable steering set up. You might get by with it, and you might not. If you don't, you might run over the guy on your right, or if he's lucky you'll just barrel roll it. Don't risk your life and somebody else's to save a few bucks.

**PhastBoat** · 04-03-2004, 08:02 PM

Weld that puppy back on!!!!!!!!!!

**us1** · 04-03-2004, 08:07 PM

If you like living then go with A
If you kind of like living but not sure if you would rather be dead, then B
If you hate living and definitely would rather be dead then C

**chynewalkr** · 04-03-2004, 08:12 PM

weld it on and sell it with a disclaimer that its been welded, put that money towards a new case

**Bulletboy** · 04-03-2004, 08:16 PM

on LU's as long as it is done by a competant welder it will hold as good as new but when it comes to performace and speeds over 70 no way would I run a welded skeg thats just asking for trouble. Weld it back on sell the case and buy a sporty. Just my 2 cents take it for what it's worth.

Ray

**Raceman** · 04-03-2004, 08:34 PM

Guys, I don't see how y'all can feel like it's right to advise somebody to weld a case, then load somebody else up in it. There's no such thing as a disclaimer when you sell something that's dangerous. If it's not safe for the present owner to run it after being repaired, it sure as hell ain't safe enough for some other unsuspecting person to run it. Once it's sold you lose control of it and it might be resold to somebody that doesn't know and gets killed with it even if YOU disclose it when you sell it. Put the old housing in the trash where it belongs, and sell the guts on the board here and buy a whole Sportmaster complete.

**chynewalkr** · 04-03-2004, 08:42 PM

when i said sell it, i wasnt by any means pushing putting a potentialy dangerous item in someone elses possesion. lets remember those of us who reach high speeds are a minority, and someone could still use that case where it probably wouldnt fail.

**Dirk Pitt** · 04-03-2004, 08:44 PM

At least we know one guy never to buy anything from!

Imagine welding a skeg back on and selling it, disclaimer, or not!

**mendo** · 04-03-2004, 08:46 PM

I don't think I will risk my life on "probably".

I would not sell it, I would never know where it will end up.

Some stuff is just broken.

That's just me.

**Bulletboy** · 04-03-2004, 08:51 PM

I agree with you raceman because it's a perfomance case someone is gonna end up with it not knowing it has been fixed. Trash the case and get a new one. The skeg is the most dangerous fix on a performance case. Gut the case melt it down an toss it through the snakes window who sold it to you.

Ray