Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

[Morgueman]

Hi Everyone,

So I purchased a 2005 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck yesterday, and today, when I left from the house with the trailered boat, I heard a loud noise and immediately knew that I forgot that the stern-drive was all the way down. :facepalm:Lesson learned...Do the walk-around, etc. etc. So here are a couple photos of the result...I'm wondering how expensive of a repair this might be...Also, I'm curious what I might experience if I don't fix it. Of course, any other thoughts are welcome too.

Thank you,

Morgueman (Eric)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

Hi Everyone,

So I purchased a 2005 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck yesterday, and today, when I left from the house with the trailered boat, I heard a loud noise and immediately knew that I forgot that the stern-drive was all the way down. :facepalm:Lesson learned...Do the walk-around, etc. etc. So here are a couple photos of the result...I'm wondering how expensive of a repair this might be...Also, I'm curious what I might experience if I don't fix it. Of course, any other thoughts are welcome too.

Thank you,

Morgueman (Eric)

Ayuh,.... You won't see any difference in handlin', at All,...

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

You need a skeg gaurd google it more will come along. Now Bondo is right no difference in handling...with one little detail that's about 1500 dollars worth of prop on that boat..the skeg gaurd did its job this time.

 

[Morgueman]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

Ayuh,.... You won't see any difference in handlin', at All,...

I appreciate your response, but I'm sensing some sarcasm (from the "Ayuh" that could be interpreted as "Of course there will be difference in the handling!" On the other hand, Tail-Gunner seemed to interpret you literally. So which is it...Handling will be affected, or not? Thanks so much.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

You just need to look at (literally) ALL of Bondo's responses...... They all start with Ayuh! That is a trademark "hello"!!! And you can take his sage advice to the bank!!!! (note.....50,138 posts!!!!)

 

[Morgueman]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

You just need to look at (literally) ALL of Bondo's responses...... They all start with Ayuh! That is a trademark "hello"!!! And you can take his sage advice to the bank!!!! (note.....50,138 posts!!!!)

OK, OK...Thanks for the input everyone...I just order a SkegShield online. I didn't know about these things. I really appreciate the folks that make this forum so valuable.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

Yeah, Bondo knows his stuff... Not many people's advice I'd follow unquestioningly, but I do his...Ayuh...

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

It's a $100-150 repair at most prop shops, they'll just weld a new skeg on. I'd skip the SkegGuard personally, as it usually involves drilling into the existing skeg, and costs about as much as just getting a new one welded on.

 

[mercs4mark]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

I would forget the skeg guard I would have it repaired at a prop shop. Let the skeg do what it is intended.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

I agree. I'd just have it welded. But Bondo is right. Won't hurt handling one bit. Put it on your winter to do list.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

Replacing a skeg by welding on a new one may be an issue. Someone with expearence doing may want to chime in but I have heard of shops wanting to take the lower end apart so they don't melt any seals from the heat of welding. With that said I would figure out some way of getting it fixed. I have a Bravo 3 as-well and I am terrified of prop damage. Those props cost about $800-$1400 a set depending on new/used and they are stainless so there is no give, any damage to the prop will be transferred in to the drive shaft.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

Replacing a skeg by welding on a new one may be an issue.

It's not an issue in his case as the skeg was broken towards the bottom. When the skeg is broken close to the housing, it makes welding difficult because the heat can damage seals.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

It's not an issue in his case as the skeg was broken towards the bottom. When the skeg is broken close to the housing, it makes welding difficult because the heat can damage seals.

Ayuh,.... Wet rags, 'n a tig welder solves that problem,....

Yeah, Bondo knows his stuff... Not many people's advice I'd follow unquestioningly, but I do his...Ayuh...

But I do make mistakes, 'n occasionally misread questions,....

 

[chris650]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

Just wondering about that prop....is there an advantage to having a double prop like the one pictured??

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

Just wondering about that prop....is there an advantage to having a double prop like the one pictured??

Absolutely. More prop blades in the water = better bite on the water. Primarily gives a better hole shot, and better tracking at all speeds (especially idle speeds around the dock). Downside is that it costs a ton more, and when making prop changes, you have to change both props, which is expensive. The one above is the Mercruiser Bravo III, but Volvo makes one as well known as the DuoProp.

Only real downside other than cost is that they are limited to around 65-70mph for top speeds, so the go-fasts don't normally use them when their boats are capable of running faster with a single prop drive.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

Anybody with a "Morgueman" name and hits something on his new boat could be flirting with fate... Maybe it's an omen you should sell boat immediately

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

But I do make mistakes, 'n occasionally misread questions,....

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

I have a skeg that looks like that . . . You won't notice any difference. Just don't do it again.

 

[abrx7]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

I had to weld a new one on to mine. Don't get the guard... Imagine what will happen when you hit the guard. You run the risk of doing even more damage.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Got a new boat yesterday...Had an accident today. Do I need to fix this?

I've broken mine off twice worse than that. (Don't ask.) The local marina fixed it with welding both times and you can't tell it's not brand new when they're done. The first time it was about $300. The second time several years later was closer to $500. The boat handles, turns, rides, etc. fine without it. If it were mine I'd save the money for the repair until next spring. Hopefully you've got a lot more boating ahead this year than I do.