A marine propulsion device is provided with a breakaway skeg having first and second attachment points. The first and second attachment points are configured to result in the second attachment points disengaging from a gear case or housing structure prior to the first attachment point. The attachment points can comprise open or closed slots and, when an open slot is used for the first attachment point, it can be provided with a first edge along which a first pin can exert a force along a preselected angle in response to an impact force on the skeg. The arrangement of attachment points allows a reaction force at the second pin to be predetermined in a way that assures the detachment of the skeg from the housing structure prior to the detachment of the housing structure from another structure, such as the boat hull, or transom.