really bent skeg, straighten or ???

[sheboyganjohn]

Well I just pulled the trigger on a new boat, a 1972 starcraft capri with a 135hp Johnson 73 vintage. The boat is in great shape but the motor needs a bit of help. Compression on the motor is good at 140/145/130/125 but it has no spark and a bent skeg. I am ordering the factory manual and have some info on here for the testing of the electrical components. The question I have is about the skeg. It appears the boat somehow was dropped down on the motor and bent the skeg at a 90 deg angle. I don't know if I should try to straighten it, cut it off and leave it at that, or try an after market skeg cover. I have enclosed picks of the boat and the skeg on the motor. These are from the listing for the boat, I will not pick it up for a few weeks. If you are completely bored and want to see more picks, here it the E-bay listing http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=350155678638

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: really bent skeg, straighten or ???

i actually would try it out and see if it effects it. if it does, break out the sawzall, cut it, and use aftermarket, protector. you will never straighten that one.

that seller comes up with some nice deals, just wish it were closer.

 

[5150abf]

Re: really bent skeg, straighten or ???

As TD said I would try to run it like that, it looks fairly straight and may not cause a problem.

I have unbent some skegs but nothing like that, if you do try to straigten it use a heavy backer like a peice of steel and tap it(TAP- To hit something slightly harder than you would hit your own finger) back as far as you can, you will need to straighen it a bit to get a skeg gaurd on anyhow but my money says it will break well before it is straight.

I ran a lower with about an inch of skeg left on it and it really didn't affect how the motor worked so it should be there but you can get by with out it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: really bent skeg, straighten or ???

the purpose of the skeg is to protect the prop. there are millions of motor running with bent or broken skegs.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: really bent skeg, straighten or ???

learned how to ski behind a motor just like that. course it was just about a brand new motor then. Oh well. I personally would not try to straigten it, but if you want take it to a prop shop or welding shop they can do something with it. Best maybe as suggested to cut it off and put a replacment skeg on

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: really bent skeg, straighten or ???

Thanks for the info. I have read in a number of posts that you can straighten them but I did not think something to this extreem was a canidate. If I do anything I will try out one of the blackfin covers or something similar. I would feel better having the full skeg there for protection. I will first give it a try the way it is. If anything it is a good first step to get on the swim platform.

 

[aesgator]

Re: really bent skeg, straighten or ???

When I bought my boat the skeg was bent pretty bad as well. I went ahead and bought an aftermarket stainless to put on. However there are lots of oyster bars and rocks here on the west coast of Florida so it was a worth while investment in my book.

 

[TN-25]

Re: really bent skeg, straighten or ???

I'd be so tempted to heat the bend cherry red, then back the bend with a dolly and try some hammer work, both dolly on and dolly off. Of course I would also prepare myself for the real posibility of replacing the skeg.

Do you know any bodymen? Ask a panelbeater for their advice.

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: really bent skeg, straighten or ???

TN-25 my big fear would be cooking the seals doing that with the way aluminum transfers heat. If I do anything I will just cut it off at the bend and put an aftermarket plastic glue on one on. I mainly want a full skeg to protect the prop when I run in shallow sandy or muddy bottom areas and just general protection when launching and loading.

 

[TN-25]

Re: really bent skeg, straighten or ???

TN-25 my big fear would be cooking the seals doing that with the way aluminum transfers heat. If I do anything I will just cut it off at the bend and put an aftermarket plastic glue on one on. I mainly want a full skeg to protect the prop when I run in shallow sandy or muddy bottom areas and just general protection when launching and loading.

I hear you. I did say that I would be tempted, that doesn't mean that it would be a good idea. I'm envisioning heating it fast, working fast for the gross straigtening, then quenching it.

I'd sure hate to cook the lower gears and associated parts.

 

[Woodstock60]

Re: really bent skeg, straighten or ???

Just a little note, aluminium doesn't turn cherry red when heated. I dont believe it changes color at all, that you could notice. Ronnie