Skeg size for FS17 ????

colonialc19 · Post by **colonialc19** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:32 am

Just wondering how large a skeg do I need for a FS17?

What are other builders doing, Jeremy,Steve, Lower ??

Started to make one but think it may be too small, right now its 4 layers of 1/4" ply by 5' long.

Any suggestions?

D

JimMac · Post by **JimMac** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:02 am

Mine is about 3 1/2 in tall,1 inch thick, 10ft long, starts 18 in forward of transom. I think the length at least is somewhere on plan Maybe on profile drawing.

TomW · Post by **TomW** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:34 am

3 1/2" is overkill you lose to much shallow water capabily. Remember you already have a v-keel. As I remember a 1x1 or 1 x 2" is what is called for. Make it as long as the keel is straight and cut off the last 1' - 18" near the transom. It should be listed on the lasted page of the building instructions or somewhere else in the plans, maybe construction drawings.

Tom

Leif · Post by **Leif** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:07 pm

Just wondering why the skeg would be cut back 12 -18 in from transom? I ran mine almost all the way back on my ob17 and everything seems to work fine.

Lung Boy · Post by **Lung Boy** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:13 pm

Less drag. The closer the skeg to the transom the more turbulent the water at the prop. The difference in drag is probably small. The designer could answer that question. My guess is about 1 or 2 percent. That is just a wild guess.

A planing hull with the skeg closer to the transom will probably track better in a turn.

steve292 · Post by **steve292** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:25 pm

Mine is 3 layers of 10mm ply 7ft long.Tapered from about 3" at the back to 11/2 " at the front. 18" from the transom.I have some pics in my thread.
Steve

jgroves · Post by **jgroves** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:23 pm

Hey bro,
I made mine (plural

) to the specs! It is a 2x2 and I end it 18" from the transom. I is important to leave the space from the transom according to my father in law mechanic (Yamaha, Honda, Volvo factory certified). I can't for the life of me remember why... I think he mentioned air or barnicles at one point

Regardless I did it to specs out of a aspen. I used a soft wood and it worked well. The aspen was fine to work with and I coated it with lots of epoxy.
As a matter of fact everything except for an extra 50" 12oz biaxial on the bottom of my boat is to spec. If it's in the directions I did it.
I'm trying to prove that idiots can do as much as normal people

colonialc19 · Post by **colonialc19** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:46 pm

Thanks for all the replys!!

I can always count on the forum

for

Jeremy wrote
"I'm trying to prove that idiots can do as much as normal people"

Jeremy, thats my personal moto

Daniel

jgroves · Post by **jgroves** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:54 am

Post by **jacquesmm** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:33 am

The skeg shown on the plans is made from a 2x2 nominal ( = 1.5x1.5) and stops around 18" in front of the transom.
You can customize it anyway you want, the answers above are correct, they show you the pros and cons of different types of skegs.

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