[brimerianzan]

A respected marine mechanic says that I can operate my boat safely without my exhaust flapper and a torn exhaust bellows. See picture: exhaust flapper came loose and tore exhaust bellows. Replacing exhaust flapper very expensive and not needed unless I was to drive backwards 100mph. And its been suggested I can drive boat with torn exhaust bellows. Anyone else have this?

[mikeyt]

This is an argument that has been hashed out in numerous boating forums but I'm going to 'respectfully' disagree with your mechanic on part of his answer. Yes, you can operate the boat with a damaged exhaust bellows. A normal bellows usually has a drain hole in the bottom anyway so that area can get wet but i would replace the flapper as you risk a back surge of water (say when you come off plane quickly or wave conditions while tied up in a slip) entering the exhaust tube & getting into your engine then causing damage to your exhaust valves or a hydroloc. Think of the flapper as a little 'preventative insurance'.

[IowaWing]

+1 Mikeyt
I agree, it's lots cheaper to replace the flapper vs the engine.