Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

[Philster]

Re: Checkmate 2400BRX w/ Opti 300xs

My new boat is under construction and will be equipped with a manual jackplate. I think it provides about 4" of setback. From reading around, things get really good with 8", 10" or more of setback.

Checkmate will accept a customer's bracket when doing the build.

I am honestly confused. Should I look for a static piece that just adds setback? Should I look for a whole new jackplate that also adds setback?

Who are the manufacturers to check out?

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

Cabela's has some Click Here.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

Bob's Machine Shop Hydraulic jack plates http://www.bobsmachine.com........ hands down to handle the power and have total control over the adjustments. I do believe he has them up to 12" setback and maybe more.

Used by many HP boats and bass boats.

 

[Philster]

Re: Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

Biffle, thanks... I did see those. Made me wonder what shops were doing the hot stuff for outboards. My hunch was that there were some shops with good reps to deal w/ directly... which leads me to Bob_VT's post...

Bob_VT: Yeah, that's what I am talking about. I know all the I/O hop up shops, but this will be my first hi-po outboard and I was looking for those shops that have the current rep and credentials.

I am sending Bob's an email. I want to get about 8-10" of setback. I wanna get the setback bracket off to Checkmate in time for rigging. They will be sending me pics of the build as it progresses, too, and I will open a thread on that.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

I used a manual adjust 10" set back on a Ranger with a 150 merc. It took some patience and some 3/4" wrenches to adjust....... then it was the best until I saw the push button hydraulic........ If I ever need to go that route again I will go with a hyd adjust.

I have had some great feedback about Bob's stuff and I look forward to seeing it.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

Make sure the plate you purchased is rated for the 250 and 300 hp engines as these are a thicker plate(7/8" vs 1/2"), Most regular plates are rated for V-6 up to 200 hp or a certain weight an some plates will have notes the they exclude the Optimax,HPDI and 4stroke engines so check carefully. I installed the JPZ-10 plates on a couple the 510 series for a couple of BFL fellows.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

Make sure the plate you purchased is rated for the 250 and 300 hp engines as these are a thicker plate(7/8" vs 1/2"), Most regular plates are rated for V-6 up to 200 hp or a certain weight an some plates will have notes the they exclude the Optimax,HPDI and 4stroke engines so check carefully. I installed the JPZ-10 plates on a couple the 510 series for a couple of BFL fellows.

ABSOLUTELY!! Be sure to mention the HP. I have seen the wrong ones fail and be ripped right of the boat. I know two people who had lost motors...... one was held on by the rigging and recovered and the other went to the bottom of Lake Champlain! One was a bolt failure and the other was a weld failure on thinner plates. I do not know what brands they were.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

Since your running tidal water with widely varing and constantly changing conditions, I would go with a fixed bracket and a good set of tabs instead of a jack plate. Armstrong makes a good bracket.

http://www.armstrongnautical.com/brackets.htm

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

Philster, when you say "good things happen", are you talking about the same benefits that companies like Armstrong advertise?

I plan on buying a bracket from Armstrong for my project, so I visited their shop. Everything seemed first class, very organized, and knowledgeable people. (just in case you wanted to know).

Any chance you can visit the factory while your boat is being built. I had a friend that did that. He said it ws an amazing experience seeing his boat being built.

 

[Philster]

Re: Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

Sorry for neglecting this thread.

"Things get good": What I mean is that with the right am't of setback, I can get less wetted hull. With the slightly heavier bow on my boat versus the closed bow, a setback tends to get the bow up/out of the water a little better to mimic the closed bow version.

Okay, as for hydraulic jackplate issues: The dealer will deliver the boat after fully sea trialing it and dialing it in. They get to mess around with the final vertical position of the motor. I've considered the hydraulic jackplate, but the cost is prohibitive and I get mixed reviews as to just how much it will matter to me. Gotta tell ya, it's one less mechanical bit, so that is okay by me. It will have a manual jackplate. They can have fun dialing it in little by little.

Setback only: Checkmate will install it, and the jackplate will still be used to adjust the engine height when the dealer preps her. The dealer is a high-performance boat dealer, and they'll know where to set it for max performance. The dealer is also aware that I am pursuing a setback.

I did notice some notes about 300 HP limits and some other notes that made me go, "Hmmm... I need to double check with the manufacturer", so I will ensure they know this is a 300HP Optimax.

Edit: Heaviest 300hp Optimax checks in at 534 lbs. Bob's heavy duty bracket is rated for 300hp and 625 lbs with 8" of setback and a nice semi-gloss black finish. Gonna triple check tomorrow and order for delivery straight to Checkmate.

 

[Philster]

Re: Sourcing a setback for my new outboard. Somewhat unclear...

Went with Versa Jack 10" (setback) adjustable jackplate from Bob's rated for my engine/weight/power. They are FedEx-ing it to Checkmate for rigging on Monday.