Do I need to fix this?

[golf101]

I had my boat on a river in Florida, missed a channel marker near the Gulf, and got into some rocks. :redface: I dinged the "fin" on the lower portion of the outdrive housing beneath the prop. (I don't know if there is a term of art for this portion of the housing or not.) I've attached a photo so you can see the extent of the damage. A couple of questions:

Do I need to repair these dings? Will it affect my performance if I don't? Do I need to repaint where the paint has scraped off? If so, can I use spray paint I can buy from Volvo or do I need to get it professionally done?

Thanks for your help.

__________________________
2006 Four Winns 224 Volvo 5.0 Gxi

 

[boat1010]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

Just from the pictures it doesn't look too bad. You can clean them up with a file just don't take too much off. Then a can of spray paint and your done.. They also sell "SKEG" guards some are made of plastic and some are pretty chrome. They just go right over the existing skeg. Good luck..

 

[capt sam]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

it's not uncommon here to see skegs broken off completely, your's is fine though.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

Yours is fine, dont need to buy a skegguard or do anything, your boat will handle well, happy boating.

 

[donnyskz1]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

I dinged mine up worse than that and have not had a problem. I did mine the first day it was in the water.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

Concur, that is not even worth worry about, I have run a motor without a skeg and couldn't really tell a difference.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

The 2 items that worries you are purely cosmetic. If you want them fixed a skeg guard would be the best option. Other than that you will need to fill in the small ding, sand it, then paint it... If it were me I would just leave it as it stands...

 

[saumon]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

Double the size of your damaged surface, then completetly remove it and you had mine! It still goes 1 inch below the prop so it's fine for its purpose: protecting the prop from a rock.

If I happen to broke more of it, i'll have it welded.

 

[zach103]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

mines broken in half. i cant really tell so your good

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

wheres the damage? i dont see any damage lol. Mine is about like that, but bent a little too and i cant tell a difference. its fine. i dont wanna paint it, cause then people can tell if i just hit something recently lol.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

Man I wish mine looked like that. Your in good shape

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

Use a file and remove the sharpness so if you run your hand over it ....it will not tear open your skin. Little jagged burrs that may be hanging off.

 

[grego]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

Pics look like,"light" damage. if you? feel you need to repair, then look for a welder that works with aluminum. Tech welding; paducah ky. The best that I have seen, from what I am reading, the skags do not seem to make a difference?? BUT! to ME! it seems that the lower skag would be very important to drive a strait and true line across a lake. Seems to me that a missing skag would make for a sudden and damned scary change in direction in any choppy wake! just my 0.2

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

I wouldn't even file it the next patch of rocks you hit will probably smooth it out. Late last year my wife was bringing out boat up the river to the ramp. ?The river was down a bit so you needed to stay center chanell. When she got to the ramp I asked her if she had any problems she said no, but she had hit one rough spot, but just powered through it. Skeg was beat up and had to get the prop fixed, but never did anything to the skeg. Sad part is we have a depth finder on our boat just for this purpose with an alarm on it. However, in her defense she wears hearing aids and when out on the water she either just takes them out or wears the old ones.

 

[golf101]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

Thanks for all the responses. Makes me feel much better.

 

[cribber]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

My skeg looks about the same as yours, you'll be fine!!! The skeg did what it's supposed to do and that is protect your prop.

 

[Splat]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

Yea I wish mine looked that good too!!!

BIll

 

[special_kaye]

Re: Do I need to fix this?

Saw someone do more damage using the trim on the driveway.