Bent skeg

[tigerider1]

I bent a skeg. No glass damage. Haven't removed it yet, but seems that'll be a booger to straighten. Any experience here? Should I just try to find a new one? 1997 model...

[Domsz06]

I'd remove it, take it to a prop repair place and see if they can fix it.

[Domsz06]

ugh I guess maybe I should go eat huh?

[jwanck11]

I have two bent fins (I assume you are talking about your tracking fins)... it seems that someone fixed them by heating them up and pounding out the bends. Dom also gave a good suggestion in seeing if a prop place will touch it. A machinist might also be an option. I do remember someone posting about the metal memory effect and that the metal will always be weaker (although I am not sure how much that matters in this application. Finally, I remember a discussion on what sealant to use in replacing it once repaired/new one bought and think that you want to use the non-permanent (3M) sealant over the permanent stuff just in case you hit something else.

Do a forum search on tracking fins - I imagine all of this should be relatively easy to find.

[yllw20]

if your local prop shop won't fix, then try www.elberts.com or www.skidim.com for replacement parts.

[da.bell]

I'd remove it, take it to a prop repair place and see if they can fix it.

x2 on this idea.

[Domsz06]

as far as a sealant I would just think any marine grade caulk/searler would be just fine....

[jwanck11]

I think the point made about the sealant is that the permanent stuff might cause significant damage to the hull if the fin is hit... It was something that I remembered from a previous post.

[tigerider1]

thanks guys.
i'll see what my prop shop can do...

[somebodyelse5]

Any word on if the prop shop fixed this for ya?

[kko]

How bad is it? I had one that got a little tweaked and just bent it back into place right on the boat with no problems. Do you have a pic?

[Ewok]

How did you guys "tweak" the fins? Was it loading on the trailer? As y'all know I'm new to inboards and I take my time loading on the trailer because it looks to me like there is not much room to get the fins on the perfect spot on the trailer. Is this the most common place to strike the fins? Any tips to drive the boat on the trailer?

[somebodyelse5]

Ill get a pic of mine tomorrow. Not real bad, just my back one. I think its been bent since before I got the boat....

How did you guys "tweak" the fins? Was it loading on the trailer? As y'all know I'm new to inboards and I take my time loading on the trailer because it looks to me like there is not much room to get the fins on the perfect spot on the trailer. Is this the most common place to strike the fins? Any tips to drive the boat on the trailer?

I make sure to get a straight run, from a good distance away, just past idle to make sure I can steer a little, about 10ft-ish from the trailer i put in neutral, coast in, reverse if needed. make sure you have a guide up there to help you out. ESPECIALLY when its windy.