Slightly Bent Skeg

YYZRC

I noticed that my starboard skeg is slightly bent/twisted.  Maybe 3/8" bent and 3/8" twisted at most.  How strong is the skeg - can I grab it with a vice grip and twist it back?  Bang it with a mallet?  Should I heat it with a propane torch to make it easier?  Or do I just leave it to a pro?

Handymans342

Do not heat for one thing. I wouldn’t worry about that little bend

PickleRick

Banging on cast metals is a no no.  Heat yes but only for an experienced prop/foot repair pro. Just prying could break it.  

My skeg was welded without removing the guts from the foot by an old timer doing prop repair and skeg repair in his garage. 

Your marina may require tear down to repair. 

If perfomance isnt an issue id address this winter.

PickleRick

Forgot to add. You may be able to use large c clamps and blocks of wood(2x6) and slowly clamp the two halves together slowly.  

This won't snap the skeg and will get most of the bend out. 

YYZRC

Thanks @PickleRick - I may try the c-clamps with 2x6s idea.  I don't think it's a big deal performance wise.

LaRea

YYZRC said:

...  I don't think it's a big deal performance wise.

That's what I was thinking. Are you sure you want to fix something that isn't broken?  

YYZRC

Boat is out of the water at the moment and like many on this forum I love having something to fix (which sometimes means breaking something in the process). 

reneechris14

All three B3 i have had have a little bent to them it adds character leave it alone

Black_Diamond

Bending cast aluminum usually results in a fracture. Very poor ductility (bendableness basicalky). If it is bent now, all those stresses weakened it and make it more likely to break. 

LaRea

davidbrooks

I have a 2" chunk missing out of one of my skegs.  When i take the drive off to send it in to be rebuilt i will have him fix it.  Till then though.  I am ignoring it at the advice of others.

PickleRick

I ran a full season with a missing skeg.  Just had to be extra careful when doing so.  My single ss prop is costly.  Id hate to ruin 2.  I was missing much more than 2 inches.

@aero3113 has never repaired/replaced or messed with anyting that isnt broken😄


I may be guilty of the same, although to a little lesser degree

YYZRC

At this point I think @aero3113 has a brand new boat with a 12 year old HIN.

aero3113

LoL

RiverRat232

I have heard that some women like a slightly bent skeg. 

PickleRick

Im glad the mods on this site are lax!   Friendly hazing makes gives this place an at the docks feel

Spyderweb

YYZRC said:

At this point I think @aero3113 has a brand new boat with a 12 year old HIN.

That’s terrific!  You nailed it.

Spyderweb

@YYZRC I had a 24’ Bayliner bought new that got a bent skeg fairly new in its life.  As I recall, it was significantly more than you describe.  Based on advice similar to what you’re getting above, I left it for fear of breaking it.  Had that boat 16 years with no issues.

PickleRick

@Spyderweb we all know there has never been a bayliner to live even half that long.  (Dont tell anyone im towing home a bayliner today)

Spyderweb

@PickleRick I've owned 4 of them. I know what you're saying.  If Bayliner had anything in the 330 size range with the layout of the 330, I probably would be on my 5th.

PickleRick

Like most boats, they are usually only as reliable as their upkeep.  

Ian

Exactly. We bought our ‘90 in 2011 and it was in great condition. 2 years later sold it and NO didn’t look after it - covered in grime at the dock, left outside and snow collapsed the Bimini. Sad but not my boat anymore.

LaRea

I thought my next band would be called Kids With Sledge Hammers.  Changed my mind.  

Ladies and gentlemen -- put your hands together for the Slightly Bent Skegs!

YYZRC

I am not sure that more than one slightly bent skeg is acceptable.  What would @aero3113 do?  R&R!

aero3113

Tough decision, cast aluminum isn’t forgiving. Honestly, if it really bugged me, I would try to bend it back. If it cracks, you can have someone easily weld it back.

aero3113

I somehow lost a skeg on my 242 and had someone come to my house and weld one back on.