I had a local dealer (not BCB as the closest is 90 miles) install a Skeggard on my 06 225 HO ETEC / Puma last week. My Puma has a slight "chine" that
develops at 69 mph GPS, which I can live with as thats not far from top end, but my first trip to the lake after installing the Skeggard was quite different.
The "chine walk" started at 55 mph and the boat was nearly out of control at 62 mph with a side to side motion that I couldn't get control of
even by trimming the motor back down. I had to get out of the throttle and down to around 50 to make it go away. I'm not sure if I experienced some freak
issue that is unique to my rig but I called my service guy to meet me at the ramp since the shop is close by. After I scared the... anyway, out of him, we
removed the Skeggard. Performance returned to what it was before the installation. I'm going to contact Skeggard and see if they can offer some advice as I
can't imagine this is a common issue with the product. Just thought I would bring it up and see if anyone has had similar issues.
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Skeggard CAUTION!
| Author | Comment | ||
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 CaddoCat |
Skeggard CAUTION! |
Lead | |
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Posts: 40 (05/30/08 04:23) |
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Rick from Lafayette |
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Posts: 63 (05/30/08 05:36) |
Mike,
That's the first time I've ever heard of the SkegGard ever effecting performance. I had one on my boat for 6 months before I had the chance to have a new skeg welded on and I never knew it was on the boat. I was going to ask you if the motor height was changed when the work was done but you said your original performance returned when you removed it. Strange. Two other members in our club had them and there was never a problem. |
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CaddoCat |
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Posts: 41 (05/30/08 11:07) |
That's the same response I got from the guys that installed it. I'm sure there is something weird and unique with this instance. I am confident the
Skeggard was the issue since the issue went away but I'm lost, as well as some others, as to why. I've had several people tell me they never had any
issue with one. The dealer that installed it suggested I may just have a boat/motor configuration that doesn't like the addition especially with little of
both in the water at that speed. It's possible, I guess, that the addition amplified the condition that occurrs at higher speeds and allowed it to occurr
sooner. I'm going to play around with it and see if I can work it out, maybe with adjustment of the jackplate.
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Chuck Hannaford |
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Posts: 64 (05/30/08 02:18) |
Rick commented (or someone from BCB) that they did not recommend this product. Probably for this reason. Glad you caught it before injury or worse.
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Bass Cat Boats |
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Posts: 11770 (05/30/08 03:39) Registered User |
It is not suggested, condoned or recommended.
BCB |
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oldtimer57 |
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Posts: 901 (05/30/08 04:52) |
The lower unit is "flying" thru the water (flying as in aerodynamics, not particularly related to speed). If you change the shape of anything in the
water, odd things can happen. A nose-cone will change the way the boat feels. Fattening up the skeg is the same deal. Just keep it off the ground and
don't worry about breaking it. I have a 7.5 horse sears motor from 1953 that still runs, and still has a sket. My 1992 merc is 15+ years old and still
has a skeg that is jet black, never been run thru sand, rocks or grounded...
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CaddoCat |
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Posts: 42 (05/31/08 12:19) |
I thought I had a bright idea protecting the skeg in advance. Louisiana lakes seem to have enough unseen hazards such as stumps, "sucker rods," and
as Rick stated a few weeks ago, the occasional unlucky individual's lower unit wedged in a cypress tree just below the surface to warrant the precaution.
On the advice above, I may just continue without it. Thanks for the input guys!
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