Aquasport 240 Jackplate

[gata119]

I'm not sure if I should post this in the rebuild section or not, but I am having my 240 rebuilt and having them add a full transom.  I will need some type of bracket, but want to keep the setback as close to the transom as possible.  I like the idea of a porta bracket, but a jackplate is cheaper and I feel it has enough lift for what I do.  Question is, how do I determine what offset I will need and if it will be enough to get the prop out of the water while on the water?  Bob's sells a 14" setback and I am curious if that will be enough.  Thanks for any insight.

[RickK]

The problem with a full transom is that you can't tilt the motor up unless you have enough setback for the cowling to clear the transom. A jackplate (I have one on my 170 but my transom is notched) only lifts and lowers the motor. I would measure from the tilt point on the motor to the top of the cowling. As you can imagine, it's not 14".

[gata119]

14" seems like it wouldn't be enough, but I was hoping for spending less money.  I may just need to bite the bullet and spend the money on a porta bracket.  Which leads me to the next question.  Is their 17" setback bracket enough.  I assume because it has more lift, the 17" will work because I can raise the motor higher than a jackplate and then tilt.

[RickK]

I don't know. You could also go with a floatation bracket like an Armstrong?

[Tampa Bay Mike]

I wondered this same thing when I redid my 22 and found that there's a lot more geometry at play then just how far back you are. I ended up finding a used 21" porta bracket that I am happy with, but a few things of note. I can still touch the cowling on the transom if I tilt it all the way up and then lower the bracket down (not that I would ever need to). There is also a difference if you have a 20" shaft motor since it will be mounted lower on the transom. A 25" motor on a 14" jackplate may be fine if it's jacked up before tilting but I can't confirm. I do know that Hanson sells their hulls with a 14" plate and they are similar so it may work.

[Fish Head]

Well in that case if your looking to keep cost down maybe you could find a used hydraulic jack plate with a 6 inch setback and find another manual/stationary jack plate or make one with about a 8/10inch setback. I think that’s how they are setup anyways. Finding the used hydraulic one might be a challenge worth trying?

[Ulysses485]

Really nice boat you got there!!  Wish I had the original CC 240.

Just my opinion but I think you will be happier with a porta bracket. Not what you are asking but if initial cost is your biggest concern, scan the market and there is commonly a used one for sale. I know of one on the market right now. Jack-plate is better suited for a notched transom or short transom that’s open out back like a flats or bass boat. I have a 240 that I am rebuilding amongst others and she is getting the porta bracket so I may be biased. Another factor to consider is if for some act of God forced you to sell it, you’ll have a much larger interest with it being redone with a porta bracket considering you are on the west coast of Florida where they are most commonly used because of tarpon fishing.

Jack plate CAN be done though. 😉

[gata119]

Thanks for the replies!  I keep telling myself that since I'm rebuilding it all I might as well do it right.  The problem is, if I keep telling my self that for each part of the rebuild, I will price myself right out of being able to do this.  I guess I am leaning towards the Porta, just to be safe.  Maybe I'll find another area to cut some cost.  But, probably not!     

[Ulysses485]

Either way you choose to go, let’s see some photos!! 

There is a lack of 240s on this forum and selfishly I would love to see more of them.

-Ulysses

[RickK]

Take a look at the before and after of mshuggs 200 CCP rebuild. I think that using an Armstrong bracket in your situation would be the best option because you gain a swim platform of sorts. Check out his before and after thread - https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=15292.msg149521#msg149521
Hopefully mshugg can offer his experience with the bracket so far.