General Concenses on Stainless gear case bullet / Skeg protectors

[Bat-ass]

Hi guys,
I know there was a thread about corrosion under the Skeg protector and breakages when hitting objects, I'm not wanting this topic to be about that, just how badly the sand can wear the gearcase.
With the beaching mods that are done on motors these days to the trim and tilt internals, the Motors don't kick up easily like in the old days. This causes heavy sand wear on the gear case right up around the bullet.
I see a lot of newer boats fitted with stainless Skeg guards that wrap up around the bullet of the gear case.
Is this what every one is fitting, or are there any of you guys who have left the gear case as standard? Can beaching wear the down the aluminum gear case, or is it just cosmetic wear?
Iv just put a new motor on my boat and in one beaching the paint is off right up to the bullet. I'm probably your typical recreational fisherman fishing a couple of times a month. And the annual Mozambique trip with 2 weeks of fishing most days. Given that sort of use, should I fit one of these protectors. What's the Concenses?

Thanks in advance.

 

[CraigT]

Put the skeg protectors on. The beaching will wear your aluminum away. There's a very good one made here at Shelly Beach which most of the country's using. The guys name is PJ and his number is 0833534052. he will supply you direct at half the price.

 

[Bat-ass]

Cool, thanks Craig.
I have been in contact with PJ and will get one from him.

 

[Dr halibut hoffman]

My skipper also was adamant that you glue them on, not sure which glue or epoxy? someone will chime in, and don't bolt them on..That way if you hit a rock, they take the knock and slide/break off deflecting the brunt of impact away from the gearbox, if they are screwed on or whatever your gearbox gets nailed. If that helps..

 

[Bat-ass]

Yes, I believe they are stuck / sealed on with a really strong Sika flex product. Apparently you clean and prep the surfaces, stuff the skeg protector full of the stuff and slosh it on... Then put pressure by trimming down onto something to hold it tight in place. The excess will ooze out. Leave it for 2 days... 

 

[CraigT]

Use Sika-Flex as well as a M4 stainless bolt. If u do hit anything the bolt will shear.

 

[Rory]

i have just done on my new motors this is the 3rd pair i have fitted on my boats

1) use sigaflex same stuff as they use for car wind screens evry brand has its
own name Wurth - bond and seal. den braven lm422. glue devil windscreen adhesive ect
2) this alone will not last for ever, you guard will finally come off and whack you prop broken (from experience)
3) best thing i have used is a clevis pin for guaranteed go no were protection

how to do

1) rough up skeg with 80 grit sandpaper and inside skeg if you can get in there.
2) fit skeg to motor and mask off neatly were it fits so excess sikaflex does not make everything a mess.
3) put on latex gloves put a lot of sika into guard dont be shy it must come out when you fit it onto skeg.
4) put guard onto skeg and force it on i trimmed the motor down on to a big block of wood.
5)wipe excess sika off neatly remove masking tape leave for a few days to cure properly.
6 drill holls for pins cut off any excess pin that stick through so it is flush and then weld pin
7 if properly sealed and no water can get in you wont get corrosion if salt water can get in between the two the electrolysis is hectic

a guard only protects you gearbox/skeg from beaching(you will need to beach thousands of times for it to wear through with out them) but will protect from small debris on the beach. If you clout a rock good and proper it may stop a piece breaking off, but a proper rock will take your gearbox off.

 

[Rory]

clevis pins

 

[Bat-ass]

Thanks for your detailed DIY, was a great help..
Skeg guard fitted and im happy.
I used SikaTack GO..... Do as Rory suggests and mask off the gearcase above the protector. And try NOT get it on your hands.... its seriouslt strong stuff!!