Yamaha skeg repair

[Mike S.]

Does anybody know of a place on the west side that could repair the skeg on my Yammie?  I busted a good chunk of it off, and hate it. Can they be fixed, or do you have to replace the whole lower unit?  I looked into repair kits, but the ones I saw said they weren't for the VMax. Something about a concave skeg?  I really don't want to spring for a new lower unit. Scared to see what that would cost me.

[Redbone]

That is a tough one.

I am assuming you don't have the piece that broke off. It would be a lot easier to weld the original piece back on.  Otherwise you would have to have a piece machined to size.  And then on top of that you would need to have someone with real good welding skills. Welding cast aluminum is a tough thing to do. Cast aluminum has impurities in it that makes it tough to weld compared to billet. Even if you found someone its going to be pricey! It definitely can be done, but... Unless it affecting the performance I would suggest leaving it or just trying the replacement.

[Waterfoul]

Mike, people get them fixed all the time.  I'd give the guys at Fisherman's a call and see who they use.  It's as easy as fixing a prop... I've seen it done.  You may have to paint it when they are done, but that's not too hard.

[Mike S.]

Ok.

[Redbone]

It's as easy as fixing a prop... 

I guess it all depends on the amount of damage.

[Waterfoul]

It's as easy as fixing a prop... 

I guess it all depends on the amount of damage.

I've seen it... not that bad.

[fiker]

speaking of painting the skeg.  Can anyone recommend a type and/or brand of paint to do this with?   
My skeg has lost some paint over the years to sand bars and motor toter.

[Lightningboy]

Start your paint job with a good sanding to give the new paint a surface it can grab on to.

First two coats should be with self-etching primer to help adhere to the metal.

Next is the primer of your choice.  Then paint with a manufacturer recommended paint to match colors, or the auto paint of your choice.

Personally, I use black primer on the L/U.  The drag racers say primer is faster than paint; I like it because it's easy to retouch.

[Mike S.]

Fiker, Yamaha blue is a good color for any motor. Lol!!

[fiker]

My cowling is Yamaha blue, but I think the lower unit is black.  If they are supposed to be blue it must be that the previous owner painted it that way.

Now you got me wondering.....

[Waterfoul]

My cowling is Yamaha blue, but I think the lower unit is black.  If they are supposed to be blue it must be that the previous owner painted it that way.

Now you got me wondering.....

He probably put a Merc lower on it... looking for reliability and speed!  LOL!!!   

[stackenem]

So is that called a Yamacury or a Mercaha

[Mike S.]

My cowling is Yamaha blue, but I think the lower unit is black.  If they are supposed to be blue it must be that the previous owner painted it that way.

Now you got me wondering.....

He probably put a Merc lower on it... looking for reliability and speed!  LOL!!!   

Well then there are de finitely no Merc parts on it.