Transom Jack

[gigbag]

i have a 1973 ranger bass boat with a 1978 johnson 28spl o.b.motor,and is mounted on jack.<br />the boat is rated for 85hp motor.<br />i just got a 1977 55hp johnson on a trade.<br />my question is, can i mount the 55 to the transom?<br />do i need a jack? and what difference would a jack make in performance?<br />i'm from the old school, we just bolted to transom didnt know anything about jacks!

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Transom Jack

Use the jack plate, set the cavitation plate parallel to the bottom and 1" above the bottom. Try it there to start. Boat should run fine......

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Transom Jack

gigbag, you can mount the 55 to the transom, you don't have to use the jackplate. they are normally used for better performance, and make it a lot easier to adjust motor height. but if you don't want the darn thing, someone else will! like me (for my 140hp)<br />one thing to keep in mind: that jp might've been necessary for other reasons, like steering mechanism hitting transom,splashwell, or maybe the cabling was getting hungup without it... i only say that because when i put the 140 on my boat, i had to mount it high for those very reasons. i was unable to sit it down on the transom.<br />by the way, i'd like to know what the "spl" in "28spl" means

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Transom Jack

Ebb' is rite...use the plate, usage of the jack plate will improve boats overall performance and handling qualities. Removing the jack plate will require resealing the transom bolt holes or filling them if they don't match the engine you're going to use. Use the setting I gave you above to start with......