how to properly raise my 50 hp

[50 hp merc guy]

i have a 1963 van guard it came with a 1962 30hp west bend golden shark it runs pretty good but i got a 1971 merc 50 500 and im mounting it onto my boat the cavataion plate is about 3 and a half inches below where it should be . is there a jack plate i can get and or make myself for this application ive got good fabricating skills and a shop. how thick should the alluminum be that i make a jack plate out of?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: how to properly raise my 50 hp

This transom was raised 3 inches with plywood and plated with .080 hard aluminum. The photos are self explanatory and although the splashwell on this boat is narrow, the plating can be done on wider ones.

Admittedly, I got a little to happy with the bolts--but I got them free. The transom was originally raised 2 inches but it wasn't enough so I raised it another inch. That's why there are added aluminum plates on top of the splashwell sides.

Last two photos are of another boat where I raised the transom 5 inches. That one has a 125 on it. So, you can see, it is very rugged yet easy to do.