[husker_fan]

Just bought my first boat, but it has a broken skeg, and also a broken anti-cavitation plate. I've read that I should fix it, as well as leave it alone if I dont care its ugly. Most say it's not even in the water at plane anyway. I found a brand new complete lower unit for about 600 also. Fix it? Buy new? Who cares, lets go to the lake! Thoughts?

[mikeyt]

I'm guessing that broken anti-ventilation plate & possibly a damaged skeg are probably related to the rough looking edges on that prop? The skeg provides protection for the prop but as i cant see how much of it is damaged its difficult to say whether or not you should repair it. Rule of thumb would be 50% gone then it needs to be fixed. The anti-ventilation plate prevents air from being sucked into the prop at speed which causes the prop to slip a bit.

I'd say if you can live with it looking ugly until the end of the season then do so & get it fixed over the winter. The welding required shouldn't come anywhere near the $600 for a new bottom end.

[husker_fan]

Well I went ahead and bought the new lower unit. I got it complete, ready to bolt on and shipped to my door for 525. I figured from what I've seen I couldn't go wrong for the price. I'll get the other one fixed and have a spare.

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[ColoradoDiablo]

Good idea husker!
The drive is probably the most common part to fubar on a boat. You have issues now you can switch out the drives in a matter of a half hour and back in the water.
Awesome price on the drive also. Nice score!!

Larry

[mikeyt]

yep, $525 for a new lower unit delivered to your door is very reasonable.

[husker_fan]

Are broken skegs and anti-ventilation plates very common? I've asked a bunch of owners in my area and no one has a clue what I'm talking about or where to get it fixed.

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[ColoradoDiablo]

Broken Skeg is very common husker. The cavatation plate ain't so common. Make sure you pressure test the drive before it is done , just to make sure there are no other cracks.
It would appear to me that the prop probably caught something like a rock or maybe a chunk of wood or metal and flung it up into the cav plate. Kinda rare in my opinion.

Larry

[TexasZ212]

Originally Posted by ColoradoDiablo

Broken Skeg is very common husker. The cavatation plate ain't so common. Make sure you pressure test the drive before it is done , just to make sure there are no other cracks.
It would appear to me that the prop probably caught something like a rock or maybe a chunk of wood or metal and flung it up into the cav plate. Kinda rare in my opinion.

Larry

+1 on that wise advice from Larry.

I would also have a prop shop rework that prop. If it's out of balance, it will set up a vibration that will harm your new lower end.

[husker_fan]

Definitely getting the prop reworked. One more question on my new lower. Are the guards that bolt to the skeg worth using on the new one? I've seen some smaller ones that look like they just protect the leading edge. Or just use the new one as is and not worry about it till it breaks?

[mikeyt]

If you wanna spend the extra $$ on a skeg guard you can but it will only protect against minor impacts. To me there is a couple of downsides in that there are some that require you to drill thru your skeg to mount them (which weakens the skeg) or others that use adhesive to attach the guard to the skeg. And i've seen a couple of those come off during use....which means bye bye to $125.