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I hate to admit it, but after a few times pulling my boat out of the water without raising the motor, I have worn down the motor skeg. I know I can buy an add on, but I would like to keep it looking original.
Does anyone know if cast aluminum can be welded? I was thinking about having a piece welded on and shaping it to look like the original. It's a 100HP Yamaha.
Hey Dale, the short answer is yes, it can be welded. The longer version is that it should only be handled by an experienced specialist. Cast aluminum is porous and if it has absorbed oil or whatever it can be a challenge...... BUT doable.
Hi Pat, I've got a weld shop not too far from the house. I'll check to see if they do aluminum. Thanks
Go to I boats and ask you will get all the info. plus you need to fix right.
NFCD
My suggestion would be to mount a Skeggard, made of stainless steel that mounts pretty cleanly on the existing skeg.
It's polished so it may even dress up the lower unit of the motor. Also if you happen to forget raising the motor again, it won't grind down or break like aluminum will.
http://skeggard.com/
TTFM
Welded many a skeg up in years past, had a boat repair shop next to our old weld shop in the city of orange and welded many skeg taken out by a river rock ,, have a shop out in riverside these days,,,, some prop shops will weld up a skeg,,,, if ur replacing a large piece going to be a chance getting the seal to hot but not much of one,,,, now days they/we have heat stop paste that sucks the heat out before it gets things to hot,, best to have the lower unit off but it can be done on the boat if the shop has the room,,leave the lower unit oil in the case while welding helps soak up some of the heat/heatsink,,, if you want it to look like it never happened they have weld on replacement skeg that can be found on the net,, when we welded them up most of the time we just cut a piece of aluminum plate and weld it on then ground it up some what like the original shape, for the most part should look pretty good but not perfect like new but the main thing is that it will serve its purpose protect the prop and steer the boat. After welding going to need get the factory primer and paint, got a pic??? NEED A HAND LET ME KNOW
Thanks for the suggestions. Being the dumb *** that I am, I think I'm going to spend the money for the stainless replacement skeg. I have no doubt that I'll drag it again.
Take your time and do it right Dale. You're not missing much except being out on the water. :Cold Fishing: