Weld on new skeg or replace lower gearcase?
 

I have an older '91 Bravo 1 with a chopped off skeg from when the boat was raced. (Supposedly people used to do this as a speed trick, I guess. I wouldn't think you'd gain much speed from doing that.) I'm wondering if I can cut off a skeg from an old lower gearcase and weld it on, or should I replace the lower gearcase. I'm not sure if a welded skeg holds up okay or not. Not to mention warpage that may tweak bearing bores, etc.

I would like to have the skeg back, just to help protect the prop, but I don't want to spend much money to do it. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

Re: Weld on new skeg or replace lower gearcase?
 

Mercury makes replacement skegs just have a good shop weld it on

Re: Weld on new skeg or replace lower gearcase?
 

If the whole skeg was gone, I'd replace the gearcase. You'd be throwing the heat right into the machine areas. I wouldn't count on the case being straight afterwards. Welding up a broken skeg is different. Usually you'll have a portion of the original left over to weld to.

They often take the skegs off the center drive on tripple applications. The skeg is redundant because the outer two drives are steering the boat. There would be a slight increase in speed due to the reduced resistance. Of course, there is also less rudder surface, so the speed has it's trade offs.

Re: Weld on new skeg or replace lower gearcase?
 

Being that my boat is a single, it's probably a good idea to run the skeg. No?

Re: Weld on new skeg or replace lower gearcase?
 

Uhhh....like YEA!

Re: Weld on new skeg or replace lower gearcase?
 

My thought exactly. ;-)

Re: Weld on new skeg or replace lower gearcase?
 

I replaced both of my skegs this past spring myself from original owner filing the leading edges back to remove the nicks. You can buy replacements from Merc. Basically they are skegs that have been cut off right under the torpedo from drives that were damaged while still in the factory. I only used the minimum length needed to keep from welding right at the torpedo for fear of distorting the housing there. I did totally dissassemble the lowers mainly to sand blast to bare metal. Turned out great and can't tell they been replaced. However, I'm sure any hit with any under water object may break them off at the weld as it is not as strong as before.

Re: Weld on new skeg or replace lower gearcase?
 

Don't forget to prime it first before paint. I bought the Mercruiser primer and paint and they hold up well.

Re: Weld on new skeg or replace lower gearcase?
 

I'd leave the propshaft carrier installed and fill the case with oil or silicone fluid. It will spread the heat load and minimize chances of case distortion due to uneven heat cycling. Plus the carrier being installed will keep thethreaded area completely round.

I've welded all sorts of things on drives (skegs, cones, etc.)