Skeg Guards - What You Need To Know

Do you have a damaged skeg on your outboard or stern-driven motor? Don't panic. With the installation of the proper skeg guard, you can save yourself thousands on costly lower unit repairs. Installing a skeg guard is easy and affordable, saving you money and time so you can get back on the water as soon as possible.

What is a Skeg Guard?

A skeg guard is simply a replacement skeg installed on your motor's existing damaged or broken skeg. Whether your skeg has completely broken off or a small portion has chipped away, a skeg guard can be installed with as little as 2-3 inches remaining on the upper portion of the skeg.

All Skeg Guards are made of 18-gauge marine-grade 316 stainless steel, explicitly designed for various outboard and stern-driven motors, including Mercury, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Evinrude, Johnson, Tohatsu, and more. The design of each skeg guard mimics the lower units' skeg while providing a reinforced lower edge that's even stronger than before. Each skeg guard also features a mirrored-polished finish, providing a sleek custom fit for every boat and motor.

Which Skeg Guard Do I Choose?

Fortunately, some great options are on the market, including the Gator Guards SkegShield, Megaware SkegGuard, and Megaware SkegPro. Each guard provides rock-solid protection at a fair price, with the Gator Guards SkegShield retailing for around $150 and the Megaware SkegGuard starting at $95.

If your skeg experiences minor damage that you would like to address, the Megaware SkegPro will be an excellent solution. The SkegPro is a compact guard that can be installed to protect the front portion of the skeg, requiring only one hole to be drilled for installation. At a great price point of only $63 for minor damage, consider the SkegPro from Megaware.

Installation

Installing your skeg guard is simple. Each kit, whether from Megaware or Gator Guards, will include the proper hardware needed for installation. With the help of a rubber mallet, you can tap the skeg guard into place to drill your mounting holes. The included stainless steel self-locking hardware will secure the skeg guard. This hardware is designed to shear in the event of another impact at a high rate of speed, ensuring that the skeg guard takes the brunt of the damage, protecting your existing skeg, gear case, and drive shaft.

Installing a skeg guard on your boat is not simply a temporary fix but, if installed correctly, a long-term solution for your lower unit. Skeg guards are not recommended or necessary on new or undamaged skegs, as you only want to drill into your existing skeg if damage has occurred.

Gator Guards SkegGuard Installation

Megaware SkegGuard Installation

Conclusion

A skeg guard is a simple and inexpensive fix for a potentially expensive problem. It gets you back on the water with the proper repairs without the hassle of welding or replacing your lower unit. You can rest assured that with a skeg guard installed, your motor is protected with a quality product. Accidents happen, but the proper skeg protection will save you time and money.

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