Is a drive with a welded skeg safe?
 

Got a replacement drive from ebay/offshoreonly member and it turns out the entire skeg has been welded on as has the bullet, if your wonering why I would buy this there was no mention of this beforehand.
I remember reading that this is not a safe practice but dont know for sure so trying to get more info.

It's certainly not ideal thats for sure, maybe on a 18ft that does 20-30mph tops, but wouldn't personally run it on anything with power.

5000lbs with a 509" at 65mph

picture of the welding
http://damncarrera.com/skeg.jpg

Kind of depends, here in FL it is very common to weld parts or entire skegs back on. But it needs to be done correct, if you can't tell the difference it probably good. But as earlier put depends on the application, If I was running twin 700's goin 105+ NO I wouldn't want it, 50mph pleasure sure why not.

OK WTF IS THAT, I would send that piece of chit back were it came from!!!! I would be scared to even install it,

Just keep an eye on it for stress cracks. It's not a matter of being safe. The worse that will happen is the weld will give and you loose the skeg, and may hit the props. I wouldn't go racing tho..

Thats what I think as well.
I just hope the person does the right thing now.
In the menatime I am out of boating for another couple weeks.
Probably the last good weeks of the year.
sigh..

I have never had it happen but
I am thinking loosing a skeg at 60+ mph would be a bad thing.
:(

Skegs are meant to break off if you hit something. Having a skeg welded on is no big deal.

That weld job and the fact that the entire lower case has been welded on is a different story. That looks like chit. I would be more concerned with the integrity of the lower gear housing than I would be with the skeg. The hydrodynamics have to be terrible with the welds also.

I agree... Unless running 100plus ide be ok with a welded skeg..... That picture doesnt look safe for a boston whaler.