Mercury 9.9 2020

Hi! I have a 2020 9.9 Mercury short shaft tiller model OB. Mercury Motor Manufacturer Item Number: 9-9MH-1F10201KK with a sizable crack on the rear of the lower cowl (it was dropped). Motor runs great but because of the crack and splash from the pontoons on my RIB, water gets into the engine compartment. Also the hood doesn’t close right because the part that’s bent and cracked is where the latch attaches to.

Is this a big job? Looks like it’s an expensive part as well. I’d take it to the local Mercury dealer but they told me it would be months before I’d get it back. I live aboard my boat and kind of need it sooner than later so I thinking I should give it a go.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.