Bent skeg

gpsguy

Cadet
Joined
Dec 31, 2003
Messages
8
You guys have been very helpful in the past, so I'm back. The skeg on my 115 Merc is bent to one side. Any thoughts on the best way to straighten it? It looks easy enough to straighten, I'm just concerned it will snap off. <br /><br />Thanks.
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: Bent skeg

I use a medium plastic deadblow hammer for hammering and a small sledge as an anvil. Place the sledge on the backside of the bend and use the deadblow to straighten it. Move things around, don't keep hitting the same spot, don't try to do it all in one shot. Hit it just hard enough to see slight results.<br /><br />Disclaimer:<br />Know that we're dealing with cast material. It likes to break more than it likes to bend. If there are any cracks, it will break. If it's to a point where it's bent too far, it'll break from all the stress of being bent back. If you don't use an anvil of some sort, it will break.<br /><br />That being said...the anvil hammer will bounce when you work at straightening the bend. It's that bounce that'll keep it from breaking.
 

Trent

Captain
Joined
Nov 17, 2001
Messages
3,333
Re: Bent skeg

Leave it alone... It's there to protect the propeller. You will not notice any problems. If it bothers you a prop shop can replace it if you cannot get it straight yourself.
 

gpsguy

Cadet
Joined
Dec 31, 2003
Messages
8
Re: Bent skeg

Thanks WillyBWright! That worked like a dream. I would never have thought that type of material could be bent back so far and not break.
 
Top