Mercruiser 4.3 broken bottom fin?

[Glenn Keller]

Is the bottom of this outdrive bad news? Will it cause the boat to steer funny?
Just put money down on this boat today, took some pics, got home and had a suprise when I looked closely at the prop pic.

Any comments appreciated, Thanks

 

[mancho]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 broken bottom fin?

and I'm sure you're gonna have to replace that. I would deduct the cost of fixing that from the purchase price. Its a special type of welding and I don't think it's that cheap. a used lower unit might be less painful. I chipped mine on my newbie 1x voyage by not bringing it up after trailering it.... but my chip is tiny compared to yours.

Good luck and make sure to have it inspected by a marine mechanic before you purchase it.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 broken bottom fin?

Doesnt look like there is enough meat to even put a stainless skeggard on her. Prolly a new skeg welded on would be the best. I wouldn't run her too long without some kind of fix. For sure try to work with the seller... boats cost money. Goodluck!

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 broken bottom fin?

The skeg helps to protect the prop. I ran mine with a broken skeg with little or no ill effect. I did get it repaired in the off season for $150.00 and it was totally broken off.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 broken bottom fin?

Not a big deal to have one welded on. It'll look brand new. It won't affect steering at all. Running the boat without it won't affect anything except you don't have any protection for the prop. Get an estimate to have it repaired and have that factored into the purchase price.

You can see how I repaired my skeg that was broken similar to yours in this thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=282896&highlight=lucky+skeg

 

[clintbeastwood]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 broken bottom fin?

yep mines been broke off the starcraft for 2yrs now, doesent affect anything that i can tell.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 broken bottom fin?

But you need a skeg to protect the propeller, or you'll be buying a new one.

I got a new Overton's catalog today, and they had the stainless skeg for $99. It said you needed a minimum of 2" of the old skeg to use it.

 

[Glenn Keller]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 broken bottom fin?

Thanks for the replies guys. This really helps me out!!!!

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 broken bottom fin?

View attachment 98640

Is the bottom of this outdrive bad news? Will it cause the boat to steer funny?
Just put money down on this boat today, took some pics, got home and had a suprise when I looked closely at the prop pic.

Any comments appreciated, Thanks[/QUOTE

Looks like PO kabonged the prop with the busted skeg, since that prop is "new". I think the skeg is more for prop protection than anything else when under power, since an older boat I had worked fine with the skeg busted, just wandered a little at low speed.

Took drive off and shop replaced / welded on new skeg and repainted whole lower end for 175 bucks. Looked like new when I got it back.

 

[mkast]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 broken bottom fin?

just wandered a little at low speed

Stern drives wandering at low speed is normal.