Replacement Skeg

gibbo500 · 20 July 2009, 22:35

Having smashed a piece of my skeg off at the weekend what is the best / cheapest option for repair?

1. Get a specialist welder to repair.

2. Fabricate something to fit on the existing skeg.

3. Buy a specific skeg protector such as

http://www.blackfinskeg.com/home/

4. Buy second hand lower leg unit.

Cheers guys

Nos4r2 · 20 July 2009, 22:39

How big is the chunk that's missing?

gibbo500 · 20 July 2009, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

How big is the chunk that's missing?

Without being specific i would say there is just enough remaining to just protect the prop.

Will measure tomorrow if it helps?

Cheers

Nos4r2 · 20 July 2009, 22:49

You should be able to get that welded-just make sure you go somewhere that understands about not overheating the oil seals etc-and drain the oil 1st.

gibbo500 · 20 July 2009, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

You should be able to get that welded-just make sure you go somewhere that understands about not overheating the oil seals etc-and drain the oil 1st.

So i don't have to have the gearbox internals removed?

Steve.N · 21 July 2009, 02:54

What about using Chemical Metal???

Those BlackFin guys - I contacted them last year about buying a fin, they wanted some astronomical figure for postage

Bigmuz7 · 21 July 2009, 05:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by gibbo500

So i don't have to have the gearbox internals removed?

Nah .. its the main shaft seals you need to worry about, but it would need to get pretty hot before that would be affected, which depends on how good your welders are, and how much of it is missing which is why a pic would be good

I've done some of mine a few times, and with excellent results from being welded

gibbo500 · 21 July 2009, 06:10

Thanks for replies.

Will post a picture.

jyasaki · 21 July 2009, 15:45

Saw an interesting bolt-on skeg guard/repair thing over the weekend: It was a standard bolt-on protector, but had a sort of a heavy wire grid (though I think "rod" would be more accurate) at the bottom tip that formed a sort of propeller guard. It was probably 6 or 8 inches wide at the bottom, and maybe a bit longer front to back, arranged in a slight V shape.

I assume it would increase drag a bit, but if you operate in shallow water or around areas where people may be, I suppose it might be worthwhile. Dunno.

Haven't been able to locate a source yet (but I also don't think it was custom-built.)

jky

spartacus · 21 July 2009, 20:39

Quote:

What about using Chemical Metal???

Not robust enough for a proper repair. Might be okay to 'fill in a gouge or scrape' but not for a sheared skeg.

Steve.N · 21 July 2009, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

Not robust enough for a proper repair. Might be okay to 'fill in a gouge or scrape' but not for a sheared skeg.

Good man spartactus!! Will note for reference

Chris · 21 July 2009, 21:19

http://www.castlemarine.co.uk/gearboxview3.htm

m chappelow · 22 July 2009, 08:53

i have seen a few skegs repaired with bolt on plates sandwiched to the existing skeg ,,,on the subject does anyone know if that chemical metal stuff would have any effect on the surrounding metal owing to galvanic corrosion ,or doesent it affect it .just a thought .mart

gibbo500 · 22 July 2009, 13:56

Here is a picture of the damage. Apologies for the quality i am no JSP

:

Bigmuz7 · 22 July 2009, 18:24

Thats an easy one to be welded

.. Just make sure the dudes are competent, and have some experience of this type of alloy, see if you can find someone with a bit of history for this kind of work rather than just take their word for it

Downhilldai · 22 July 2009, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Thats an easy one to be welded