gear casing damaged after hitting rock

[leishman]

have a 60hp mariner engine and today hit a rock and damaged the bottom "fin" section so it is now slightly bent and jagged with a bit missing does this automatically mean a whole new gear casing or is it ok to continue running and "see if it is ok"

[martini]

Bummer. I wouldn't worry too much, could just clean up the burrs up a bit with a file. Shouldn't affect performance as long as the impact didn't upset anything internal.

[jyasaki]

The skeg is designed as sort of a protectant for the prop (hits stuff first, assuming the target is horizontal), and has a bit of rudder effect when you're not on power. You can safely run with the entire skeg missing.

If desired, you can have it straightened (careful: cast aluminum tends to be brittle), and have the gouges/voids welded up and repainted (careful again as there are rubber seals inside and welding means heat.)

jky