Jack Plate or Not?

macojoe · #1 09-16-2008, 10:10 AM

With a 29" set back bracket, would adding a jack plate make it just to far from the boat for a motor?
The reason I ask this is that I have seen a few ok deals on 30" shafts, and that would be great to get the power head up out of the water better.

I see that the jack plates are a set back of at least 5" so that would be 34"

So what you think??

Blue_Runner · #2 09-16-2008, 10:18 AM

I really don't know......but I figure if your steering cable is long enough it should be ok.

macojoe · #3 09-16-2008, 10:31 AM

I might have to extend the lines, I have Hydraulic steering.

THEFERMANATOR · #4 09-16-2008, 11:54 AM

You also need to take into account the leverage affect that the added set-back has. The furthur you go back, the more stress is being put on the transom from all that weight hanging back there. You can also look at it from the fat guy on a see saw bit. Put a fat guy on one side and a skinny guy on the other. The fat guy has to sit right next to the pivot point for the skinny guy to even have a chance of balanceing the see saw.

macojoe · #5 09-16-2008, 12:33 PM

Thats why the question if you guys thought it was a good or bad Idea. My transom is 5" thick so the weight should be fine, but its the leverage thing?

Its all just a thought at this point.

THEFERMANATOR · #6 09-16-2008, 12:43 PM

I would think up to a 200HP you would be fine with the added leverage, beyond that I would think the structure would sure get tested. You could always take your boat down to an aluminum welder and have hime replace the rear plate on your bracket with one 5"'s taller and weld it on there. I personally would just find a 25" shaft.