Bent skeg repair
 

The skeg on my Yamaha 40 HP has a slight bend. What is your recommendation on how to fix this and where to have it repaired? I live in Carlyss.

Leave it with a "slight bend". The lower units are cast aluminum and do not take kindly to "bending back", meaning you run a high risk of breaking it off. If it is not causing a major issue (vibration or torque), I would leave it. IMHO.

X2. My buddy tried bending his back and snapped it off. Depending on the degree of bend it shouldn't cause too much harm


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

If it bothers you so bad just have it replaced. I had on on my 150 replaced cost $100 and can't tell the difference.

It is definitely not running the same and needs to be repaired.

Where is a good place to repair in the Sulphur / Lake Charles area?

Thanks,
Tom

Put a skeg guard on it, it will give it a clean look again.

have to agree, its better to cut it off and weld on a new one rather then weaken the metal trying to bend it back.

once something is bent its bent and you cant straighten it you just get it close to straight so you don't notice it.

cast aluminum is very brittle and even if it looks fine today it will get a stress crack where you bend it and fall off later so just do it the right way right now and weld on a new one.

then again you can just cut off the bent portion and leave it missing, which I have seen done before, but IMO its there to protect the lower unit and prop more then to be a rudder for steering so I wouldn't recommend not having one or leaving one broken

Thanks, any suggestions in the Sulphur / Lake Charles area to have it cut off and welded on?

Best,
Tom

I would call Southside Welding

477-0527

I would try a skeg guard first and if something happens to the original skeg during application the you can still use the guard on your newly rebuilt skeg.

here is a video that shows what they do when they replace the skeg


and this one is how to install the skeg guard, which in my opinion is only used for straight skegs that have dings or pieces broken off but I don't see how you can use one if the skeg is bent

A good skeg guard cost as much or more than just replacing it and is made of steel usually. It won't bend like the original and could lead to damage of the lower unit. Your choice.

Thanks to all for your suggestions / recommendations. They are much appreciated. I'll make a trip to Southside.

Best,
Tom

Southside has fixed skegs for me in past. good folks.