Skeg repair

[Scotto97]

I'm missing the bottom 2-3" off my Bravo III skeg due to damage from last year's wind storm on Lake Mead. The local prop repair shop has estimated $175 for the one-day repair while on the trailer including paint. Does this seem reasonable?

Also, I haven't noticed any proformance or steering problem - should I rush to get this done?

 

[Nehalennia]

I'd definitely get it done and the price doesn't sound too far out of whack to me. My guess it that it's a 1-1 1/2 hour job for them plus materials. Most shops are in the $85-100/hour range.
Key is to ask them about the lower carrier bearing/prop shaft area and ask that that area isn't heated up too much. If you're missing 2-3 inches you're still 3-4" away from the area but it would be nice to know that they're conscious of that area.

My Local prop shop does these very well, but they've said they've seen many come to them that have been done poorly and ruining the seals in the lower unit.

 

[Scotto97]

Thanks for the great advice Nehalennia, I'll certainly caution them about the heat in that area.

 

[poormonkey]

Also, I talked to an old timer who knows his stuff. Ask this guy who quoted you, if he is going to cut all the old skeg off and weld a new one on. This is the easiest to do, but your new skeg will be much weaker due to taking off so much of the remaining original metal on the skeg. The proper way to do it, is make a template of the remaining skeg, and cut the new replacement skeg to match the piece that is just needed. Then they weld it up and grind the weld down and paint it. This is the strongest way since you are using so much of the remaining metal.

 

[1stSeaRay]

Did you talk to Adam at Marine Propeller Works? The price sounds about right to me, and those guys do good work.

 

[Scotto97]

Did you talk to Adam at Marine Propeller Works? The price sounds about right to me, and those guys do good work.

Yes, they recently repaired my props as well