This weekend while dropping off my nieces my Alpha one drive hit a rock (concrete block) while trimmed up resulting in the loss of 80 % of my skag. Upon further review it looks like a previous owner beat me to it. The skag is cut horizontally aprox. 2” below the prop shaft housing and was repaired prior to my boat purchase. It looks like a previous owner tried to decrease drag and operate the boat this way. I drove the boat back to port without running at high speed so I do not know what to expect as far as performance or safety.
Besides not having the skag protecting the lower half of the prop, is it unsafe to operate the boat this way? Will I pickup some MPH with less drag?
I am considering replacing the lower unit. Was rebuilt last year do to shifting issues in the lower gear set and have noticed this issue returning.
How much should it cost to reweld new skag?

Peace