Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > General Q & A
Missing skeg(s) and cavitation plate >

Missing skeg(s) and cavitation plate

Notices

Missing skeg(s) and cavitation plate

Thread Tools
 
Old 11-21-2014 | 05:35 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Miami fl
Default Missing skeg(s) and cavitation plate

So my new to me formula 242 has some damage to the drives, both skegs are flat about 2 inches below the prop, they are ground even and painted to match the drive so I'm guessing they have been run like that for a long time. Also on the starboard motor (twin 260 hp with alpha 1) there's a corner missing from the cavitation plate. I've only had the boat out once, it ran up to 58 mph with a fuel tank of fuel so I don't know if the plate is a big deal the wake and rooster tail didn't look strange, and that motor actually feels stronger then the other. The boat felt super light and sketchy though at that speed I'm wondering if the skegs are part of that. Anybody used one of the glue on fins to repair for the skegs? Saw some in carbon look cool but I can't see any need for carbon there. What about the cavitation plate worry or not? I'm sure I can find someone to come weld a corner if that's what I need
Ta12sec is offline  
Reply
Old 11-21-2014 | 05:52 PM
  #2  
Registered
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,042
Likes: 712
From: Toledo Oh
Default

I can tell you this much.... My skeg was looking a little haggard... I bought a replacement merc skeg, paid a guy with a good rep for fixing skegs to weld it on. It came off within 10 minutes, folded back into the prop, destroyed a stainless prop. bent the prop shaft, took a big chunk out of the cavitation plate and put a few cracks in the lower housing. So basically my entire bravo lower is a paperweight

Be carefull what and how you chose to fix something...
phragle is offline  
Reply
Old 11-22-2014 | 06:36 AM
  #3  
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,733
Likes: 8
From: bel air, md
Default

The bolt on skegs don't work to bad. If you only have a couple inches of skeg I could see that it wouldn't handle the greatest.
Black Baja is offline  
Reply
Old 11-22-2014 | 08:16 AM
  #4  
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: monroe michigan
Default

I would buy new lowers Alpha drives are very reasonably priced.
MichiMike is offline  
Reply
Old 11-22-2014 | 10:30 AM
  #5  
Registered
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,439
Likes: 93
From: yorkville,il
Default

i have a guy i send them to.he has welded many of them for me with no problems but he has been a welder for 40+ years.
mike tkach is offline  
Reply
Old 11-22-2014 | 11:22 AM
  #6  
Registered
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,042
Likes: 712
From: Toledo Oh
Default

go new with sei... warrenty = peace of mind and you have your orig. as spare.
phragle is offline  
Reply
Old 11-22-2014 | 11:43 AM
  #7  
Registered
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 1,376
From: naples,florida
Default

Leave it alone it is fine That little bit of skeg missing is doing nothing to steerage with how deep those drives sit.
tommymonza is offline  
Reply
Old 11-22-2014 | 12:10 PM
  #8  
Registered
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,042
Likes: 712
From: Toledo Oh
Default

How high were you trimmed when the boat felt "super light and sketchy"?
phragle is offline  
Reply
Old 11-22-2014 | 12:44 PM
  #9  
Thread Starter
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Miami fl
Default

New drives would be nice but not in the budget right now. there's plenty of boat toys that could eat that 1700.00.
I don't know how high they were trimmed up, the trim gauges aren't accurate. The rpm went up and I stopped.
Ta12sec is offline  
Reply
Old 11-22-2014 | 12:56 PM
  #10  
Registered
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,042
Likes: 712
From: Toledo Oh
Default

Well if it feels flighty, trim it down a couple bumps. Im willing to be that will solve you issue.
phragle is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.