Best Way to Patch Chips in My Lower Unit Housing
The skeg of an outboard or sterndrive gear case provides much directional stability and steering ease. Whether caused by running aground or due to some country-bound cataclysm, a cleaved or damaged skeg adversely affects treatment. In some cases, a welder can repair your skeg. When I needed to repair the bent skeg of the Yamaha outboard that powers my Edgewater 228 CC charter boat, I elected to practise it myself using a Megaware SkegGuard. Fabricated of mirror-polished stainless steel, a SkegGuard works as long as at least 3 inches of stub remain of the broken skeg. Hither'southward how I did it.
Skill Level: ane/v
Stop Fourth dimension: 2 Hours
Tools and Supplies
* Megaware SkegGuard ($99.95, diverse sizes)
* Jigsaw with bi-metallic blade
* 3M Scotch-Brite pads (green or red)
* Drill motor
* Cobalt or HSS drill chip (1/iv-inch)
* Mallet
* Mill-bastard file
* Wire castor
Removing the gear case too gives you lot a chance to supervene upon the water-pump impeller, housing and gasket to ensure max cooling performance. It'southward relatively piece of cake on near outboards. Check your owner'due south manual and do-it-yourself videos on the Spider web for your brand of motor. Be sure to keep the bolts and washers that connect the lower unit to the midrange section of your outboard engine in a safety identify (similar a large cup) so they don't get lost prior to reassembly.
Cut Flush
I used a jigsaw fitted with a bi-metal blade to cutting the aptitude skeg off and nowadays a clean and level surface. A SkegGuard requires at least 3 inches of stub remaining from the original skeg in social club to be affixed. Don't cut off also much.
Prep the Surface
Use a factory-bastard file and/or an abrasive Scotch-Brite pad to deburr the cut edges of the outboard or sterndrive's skeg stub. Use a potent-wire brush to clean off metal bits and filings. Wipe clean with a solvent-dampened rag.
Dry Fit
Using a plastic or wooden mallet, or tapping with a hammer and a scrap of woods, tap the SkegGuard into identify over the old skeg and cheque everything for a proper fit. Tap it house enough to make sure it is well-seated on the stub of the original skeg.
Drill Holes
Using the SkegGuard with its pre-drilled holes as a template, drill 2 1/4-inch holes completely through the skeg. Be sure to drill direct and square. A high-speed steel (HSS) bit will work, but I used a Cobalt flake, which dissipates oestrus ameliorate.
Insert Bolts
The SkegGuard comes supplied with bolts in various lengths to adjust varying thicknesses of skegs. Locking sealer is pre-applied to go on the bolts from loosening. Insert the appropriate bolt and utilise the supplied hex tool to tighten.
Source: https://www.boatingmag.com/how-to-repair-broken-skeg/
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