Advice needed on minor skeg and hull repair

**wally2** · 07-13-2005, 10:44 AM

Had a small mishap this past weekend when launching my Grand Sport at a Local(central MN) lake. Incoming waves whipped the boat around and the skeg and rear hull portion(pad) of the boat ground into a cement block "hidden" beneath a shallow bit of sand. Now I am missing about 2 inches by 2 inches of the rear portion of my skeg and I have three small "divots" out of the pad plus several deep scratches. My questions are: Anyone know of anyone in the MN area who does good hull repair work? Second can I just have any reputable welding shop that does skeg work repair the skeg on my Merc 280 Sportmaster lower unit?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

**Raceman** · 07-13-2005, 02:43 PM

It's hard to say without seein' pics of the skeg, but generally speaking repairing anything more than minor nicks on a skeg of a high perf boat is a very dangerous proposition.

**wally2** · 07-13-2005, 10:15 PM

Well, no pictures of the skeg but... it is a small chunk about 2 by 2 inches. The skeg is not bent in the least. I was hoping someone might know of or have used a repair shop for this, and/or the hull repair, in the immediate area. Definetely don't want any "hack" just welding a piece onto the unit. Thanks in advance for any advice.

**Raceman** · 07-13-2005, 10:23 PM

I wouldn't run an Allison with a 280 with a 2 X 2 repaired/welded skeg. If it's welded and fails, it'll likely fail somewhere OTHER THAN right in the weld, and you're risking your life that it won't.

**Scream And Fly** · 07-13-2005, 11:51 PM

I agree 100%. Welding on a lower unit is suicide. It's not worth the risk.

Greg

**at100plus** · 07-13-2005, 11:53 PM

I wouldn't consider 2x2 small on a hi perf. skeg. Also I've heard the heat generated when welding can weaken other areas of the housing.

**Scream And Fly** · 07-13-2005, 11:54 PM

Fortunately, the boat can easily be repaired.

**hsbob** · 07-14-2005, 09:56 AM

should be covered by insurance, except for duductable

if you do weld the skig, be sure that the hub is full of some fluid. this will reduce the problems at100plus referred to. be sure to flush it out. i do agree the with you boat the risk may be too high. there was a bass and walleye article on repairing skigs. this maybe worth refering to. sorry i done remember which issue, i think it was the last 12 issues.

**wally2** · 07-14-2005, 09:41 PM

O.K., Then what is the alternative to a repair of the skeg? Total replacement of the lower unit? I sure am concerned about safety but...seems kinda drastic to me to replace the whole lower unit. I guess this might be a good excuse to get one of the new Titus lower units as discussed in the recent Bass and Walleye Boat mag. article.
Seriously, replacement of the whole lower unit as opposed to repair? Thanks again for the input.

**at100plus** · 07-14-2005, 09:46 PM

What kind of lower?

Best option is to find a good used housing and swap out your internals.

**Raceman** · 07-14-2005, 10:22 PM

Mike, his original post says "Sportmaster, 280".

Seems drastic? Do you have any idea what'll happen with an Allison if the skeg comes off at it's top speed potential? That wouldn't only be drastic, it's potentially fatal.

Someone posted a suggestion of having the gearcase full of fluid. Damage from welding in that area is the least of your concerns. It's what happens to the remaining area AROUND the weld that causes failure. There are plenty of people who can weld a chunk in it that'll stay in, but doing so without damaging the strength of the surrounding area is the trick. Ole Bubba down at the welding shop has been welding aluminum for years, but has no idea of the stress and fatigue that a skeg on a surfacing gearcase on a 100+ MPH boat.

New housings are expensive, but so is repairing your ass.

**at100plus** · 07-15-2005, 08:58 AM

Exactly.

I had an anticavitation plate welded on a Sportmaster (it was not a crucial location on the lower). A few months later it cracked further back in a spot that really has little stress. I think it was because of the heat. The welder was a very good one too, who works on aircraft.

Don't do it, get a new housing or even a good used one.

**JWTjr.** · 07-15-2005, 09:35 AM

Please get a new housing.

An Allison is not to be fooled with where skeg problems are concerned. The fact that the Allison is a Grand Sport with 280 makes it even more critical.

JWTjr.

**Allison's Allison** · 07-15-2005, 12:29 PM

Wally2, If your wanting to save a few bucks I've got my old cle w/bobs cone housing that I swapped my guts into a sportmaster on my Allison. I'm less than an hour away in Vermillion if your interested.

**wally2** · 07-15-2005, 10:49 PM

Thanks for the offer but....I really want to keep a Sportmaster on my 2.5. I can't believe a fellow hotboater lives in SAD(land of Lunds and Bayliners)

What are you running? You aren't K. Allison who runs a GSE also are you?