www.iFourWinns.com

When I bought my boat, the skeg was a little worse for wear with a small chunk taken out of it. I have seen these skeg guards of differing brands and was wondering if anyone is using one, and people's thoughts about them.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

I would suggest taking it to a welder and have them fix it properly, they can also straighten it out if it is bent. The skeg guard is just an add on and to me will add more resistance. The thing that might not be good is if you hit something the guard can cause more damage than just a little chunk out of the skeg. It may break off the skeg completely from where it has been attached if it is stronger than the aluminum skeg.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

I can't comment on them except that the are shiny ! To repeat a post from a few years ago, I'm surprised the OEMs don't use sacrificial, bolt on plastic skegs. They would be very cheap. and casting the lower unit casing would be a lot easier/ cheaper.

That might be a good idea but I assume they use hard aluminum to protect the prop from some of the strike which will protect the shaft. Just a guess...

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

My skeg is still straight, it is just pretty rough on the bottom with a small chunk taken out of it. The one I am looking at is a full on over the skeg sleeve, that is stainless and would look a lot better than what is there now. IT is supposed to be form fitting and seal to the existing skeg, and then 2 bolts attach it to the top of the skeg.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

The skeg is weldable. Or you can install the Skeg Guard. If the skeg is welded, the welder needs to take precautions to ensure that no distortion will affect the seals and precision moving parts. The Skeg Guard is a relatively quick patch, but it indicates that the skeg has had damage. Sounds like you have a decision to make......

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Yeah - I would take some pictures pre-install and let the eventual buyer... If I ever get rid of it... know what it looks like underneath.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

Buy an angle grinder and just reshape the rough edges till it needs a professional job done, thats what a prop and skeg repair shop advised me.

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3 words:

JB Weld.

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS