SKEG Repair

[homboyfsu]

Finally, got someone to answer the phone. Bad news Mr. Porter has been in the Hospital for several weeks. Talked to his grandson and he is suppose to be out in the next couple of days. If you Pray then Pray for him and his Family.

[Juan]

Salty and I had this discussion a long time ago and I think we agreed to disagree. Just a matter of preference imo. I don't believe the two small holes required to mount a skeg guard in the upper and thickest part of a skeg weaken the skeg any more than a weld. The way I see it, there's advantages and disadvantages to both ways:
A weld doesn't weld all the way through, the skeg is weaker at the weld because of it and welding with anything but the right cold welding equipment could damage seals.

A weld looks closer to original where a skeg guard is usually a chrome add on.
Skeg guards are weakest at the bolts where they mount but they're designed that way so that the bolts shear off. If you hit something hard enough, you'll lose the skeg guard.
Skeg guards are easy to replace but there has to be enough of the original skeg remaining to drill two mounting holes where the entire skeg can be repaired / replaced with a weld.
I could go on but as I said, I see advantages and disadvantages to both. I'll still go with a skeg guard when I can and weld if I have to.
Just don't hit any rock and it doesn't matter.

Skeg guards look crappy, weld looks brand new.
It’s pretty much universally accepted ( other that Ruck) that they are weaker than the original. Do some research and don’t just try to think it through. Probably hundreds of pages with pictures on THT. Flatsbroke may have some pics. They always break right at the bolt holes. What would be a little chip on the skeg turs out to be a total replacement.
I did a ton of research on this when my skegs broke. Really no one that knows anything uses them.

Again, do your own research

On
Everyone has their own opinion and some base those opinions on experience and not just what they read on the internet or on THT. Nuff said.

[Red Beard]

Finally, got someone to answer the phone. Bad news Mr. Porter has been in the Hospital for several weeks. Talked to his grandson and he is suppose to be out in the next couple of days. If you Pray then Pray for him and his Family.

Hate to hear it. Always enjoyed talking with him at the shop. Hope he makes a full recovery.


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[Salty Gator]

Salty and I had this discussion a long time ago and I think we agreed to disagree. Just a matter of preference imo. I don't believe the two small holes required to mount a skeg guard in the upper and thickest part of a skeg weaken the skeg any more than a weld. The way I see it, there's advantages and disadvantages to both ways:
A weld doesn't weld all the way through, the skeg is weaker at the weld because of it and welding with anything but the right cold welding equipment could damage seals.

A weld looks closer to original where a skeg guard is usually a chrome add on.
Skeg guards are weakest at the bolts where they mount but they're designed that way so that the bolts shear off. If you hit something hard enough, you'll lose the skeg guard.
Skeg guards are easy to replace but there has to be enough of the original skeg remaining to drill two mounting holes where the entire skeg can be repaired / replaced with a weld.
I could go on but as I said, I see advantages and disadvantages to both. I'll still go with a skeg guard when I can and weld if I have to.
Just don't hit any rock and it doesn't matter.

Skeg guards look crappy, weld looks brand new.
It’s pretty much universally accepted ( other that Ruck) that they are weaker than the original. Do some research and don’t just try to think it through. Probably hundreds of pages with pictures on THT. Flatsbroke may have some pics. They always break right at the bolt holes. What would be a little chip on the skeg turs out to be a total replacement.
I did a ton of research on this when my skegs broke. Really no one that knows anything uses them.

Again, do your own research

On
Everyone has their own opinion and some base those opinions on experience and not just what they read on the internet or on THT. Nuff said.

I’ve had my skeg repaired 4 times. Every time I was talked out of a skeg guard by people that know more than me ( including the dealer and pathfinder boats). A skeg guard is an lazy fix. Traps saltwater, it’s ugly and it probably weakens the skeg., really no advantage at all except for ease….The hull truth is a forum from people from all over the world. Not just Tallahassee. Thousands of members not like this little local forum. You can actually get real answers there. Dumb opinions get blown out of the water quickly, and folks can be down right rude. But you can get more info on boating than anywhere else. There are many boat builders ( from all over the world)…. Unlike some, I’m not hard headed enough to listen to the people they know more than me, especially when the evidence is overwhelming. Nuff said

[Salty Gator]

Finally, got someone to answer the phone. Bad news Mr. Porter has been in the Hospital for several weeks. Talked to his grandson and he is suppose to be out in the next couple of days. If you Pray then Pray for him and his Family.

Hope he pulls it out. Tough dude

[Juan]

I’ve had my skeg repaired 4 times.

Probably broke at the same place (the weld) each time.

A skeg guard is an lazy fix. Traps saltwater, it’s ugly and it probably weakens the skeg., really no advantage at all except for ease….

For the record: All untrue. Do some more "research"

[Salty Gator]

I’ve had my skeg repaired 4 times.

Probably broke at the same place (the weld) each time.

Not the case Rick you are making assumptions. You are in the minority believe it or not.

A skeg guard is an lazy fix. Traps saltwater, it’s ugly and it probably weakens the skeg., really no advantage at all except for ease….

For the record: All untrue. Do some more "research"

It is a lazy fix: it weakens the lower unit( plenty of pics available), it does trap salt and sand and most definitely ugly. And they definitely offer no advantage. Which part is untrue? Maybe you should do some research. Or offer up your “ experience “ and offer up some sort of advantage. I seriously can’t think of any advantage at all except for ease of install. There is a reason those cheap ugly things don’t come standard on outboards, they are junk. But they are sold because there is someone that will buy it.

Seems like the op has made up his mind, with others here supporting my opinion,( no one supporting yours) but if you want to argue more we can do it privately. No reason to bore everyone with the same crap we did last time

[onefishtwofish]

One of y'all engineer types develop a "break away" skeg. 2 bolts. Will break off when it hits and the lower unit is designed to allow it to snap away with no damage. Keep a spare on the boat at all time. Then get the engine manufacturers to offer a break away skeg option on their outboards! Like a lizard tail, just grow a new one.

[homboyfsu]

I talked to Mr. Porter grandson and he said it's doubtful that he will return to work. So if your in need of a SKEG repair please share where you are getting it repaired. Please share you thought on how well the person did your repair on your SKEG?

[fishinfool]

I had heard some time back that Wavel's son was working with him. Is this still the case?

[homboyfsu]

Went I talk to his grandson he told me the Mr. Porter was the only one that did this repair. I talk to Shields and Parkway they both told me they send the Lower Unit off and Shields gave me a estimate of $250.

[FishWithChris]

Went I talk to his grandson he told me the Mr. Porter was the only one that did this repair. I talk to Shields and Parkway they both told me they send the Lower Unit off and Shields gave me a estimate of $250.

Whew man that's really unfortunate. Isn't there a newer welder in St Mark's / crawfordville doing metal work ?

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[homboyfsu]

Don't know? Been asking for a Tig Welder. Found none with any experience. If I found someone I will post his or her name if the work is great.

[SHOWBOAT]

Not very familiar with the repair, but if it just welding then check with Weems Metal Fabricators in Tallahassee. Great welding skills, good prices.

[homboyfsu]

I called this company and the guy send me a email that he charges $185 per hour for labor. If I let him fix the Skeg I am going to update this tread.