Amout of jackplate setback for flatback?

[Callyb]

Okay, I'm working my parts list/budget for my flatback rebuild. I know for sure that I want to close the transom and I'm stuck with the 20" Black Max for a at least 2 years, this leaves me in a less than desirable position. I also know how much money I have to work with, which really means I can't make a porta-bracket fit in the budget. So, I'm kind of forced to go with a hydraulic jackplate. I'll mention also that I have a very aggressive schedule for getting this done (5 months).

The question I have for you guys is; How much setback do I need to have the motor clear the transom? I'm looking at the 12" or 14" Bob's, but I'm not 100% sure it will work when tilting the motor...

I wish the f-in porta's weren't so expensive. :evil:  :evil:

I realize there are a lot of variables, but any input would be appreciated.

[seabob4]

Cally, something you may want to try.  If you can, pick the motor up and tilt it all the way up.  Back the boat up to the motor, and with the help of a couple buddies (or a tree limb), get the mounting plate so that it is parallel with the transom.  See how close you can get the boat at full tilt, this will give you your setback...

[Capt Matt]

Try to find a used 25inch lower unit to trade for your 20 inch shaft
Maybe you can find a used (armstrong/gill) bracket.
Capt Matt

[200CCPMerc200]

Build your closed transom and notch the motorwell.

[saltfly]

Bob is right on how to determine your sit back. I also agree with Capt. Matt. But I would get an extension kit for your motor. Their still available and they come with every thing you need to turn a 20” shaft into a 25“. They have the housing, drive shaft, water tube and shift shaft extensions. Most dealers can get them for you or you can find them on line. Then a jack plate wouldn’t have to be sit so low, that you would have to worry about the sit back. You could also go to any outboard motor grave yard and pick up a 25” shaft motor that the power head is blown up . Then just swap out you power head for the blown one. That may be your cheapest way out.
i've pick up motors that where blow for as low as $200. Some dealer get so may that they can't get rid of and will sell them to you cheap. I've bought three for friends, for that amount to do just what would need  to do.

[Callyb]

Thanks guys for the input.

Bob, your thoughts stirred some brain cells... What I'm going to do is build a mock up of the jackplate from wood and put the motor up against it (while it is hanging) so I can take my measurements.

Matt and Saltfly, I know a 25" would be the most appropriate situation, and I have been looking for a lower unit as an even trade. Hopefully this pans out. I will definitely buy a 25" motor when I repower. Other than the 20" obviously not being the correct height for the full transom, it gets swamped constantly on the Great Lakes. 6 foot seas are not uncommon and the duration is quite shorter than the ocean.

Saltfly, As a side note... A soon as I saw your name it made me think of getting eaten alive by the flies as a kid while camping/fishing in Lewis/Cape Henlopen, Delaware, and low and behold your from Delaware (I'm originally from just south of Philly)!       My grandfather loved going down there, Lums Pond too. Lots of good times...It brought back memories I haven't thought about in a long time. Thanks man!

[saltfly]

Glad to have stirred up good memories.  I to came to the Delaware beaches for vacation. As a kid, I cut a few teeth on wading the flats around here with my fly rod. My mother and father moved here after they retired. Sooooooo my wife and I bought property here years ago, with the idea of moving after we retired. And we did. For me it was either here the Va. Mountains or Florida. But since my wife doesn’t like the Florida summers, and she wasn’t sure she would like all the snow that they get in the mountains even though she loves snow, which I have no love for. We ended up here. Glad we did. I’m also a hop skip and jump from Crisfield Md., which is one of my favorite places to fish. And if you ever get the hankering to get down this way. Look me up. I’ll take you fishing in the salt. That offer is always open to members of this board. But remember, you need more then just the lower unit for a 25” motor. You would need every thing for the mounting bracket down. Its a shame you aren’t in this area. I could show you three places To get  a whole 25” shaft motor that is blown.Theirs also a motor grave yard place to buy motor parts, on the inter net. I use to have their wed page. Had a computer crash big time and lost all of the site I had. Been trying to find it again. If I do, I’ll let you know were it is.

[Callyb]

Hmmm. Well, I could tell the boss I'm going back to visit family...

Btw, I'm sick of snow too. Michigan is the wrong place to be when that is the case. I escaped last year with the intent of a permanent move to Georgia, but after I was down there for a few weeks the previous job/current job realized they wanted me there. Hell of a way to get a raise and promotion, but some deals a person can't refuse... Now that it's getting cold up here again I wish I would have been settled in down there when they called me. Winter sucks.

[gran398]

Thanks guys for the input.

Bob, your thoughts stirred some brain cells... What I'm going to do is build a mock up of the jackplate from wood and put the motor up against it (while it is hanging) so I can take my measurements.

Matt and Saltfly, I know a 25" would be the most appropriate situation, and I have been looking for a lower unit as an even trade. Hopefully this pans out. I will definitely buy a 25" motor when I repower. Other than the 20" obviously not being the correct height for the full transom, it gets swamped constantly on the Great Lakes. 6 foot seas are not uncommon and the duration is quite shorter than the ocean.

Saltfly, As a side note... A soon as I saw your name it made me think of getting eaten alive by the flies as a kid while camping/fishing in Lewis/Cape Henlopen, Delaware, and low and behold your from Delaware (I'm originally from just south of Philly)!       My grandfather loved going down there, Lums Pond too. Lots of good times...It brought back memories I haven't thought about in a long time. Thanks man!

Cally, here is the extension kit salt referred to:

They run around $430.00.

http://www.baymfg.com/mercury.asp

[seabob4]

Hmmm. Well, I could tell the boss I'm going back to visit family...

Btw, I'm sick of snow too. Michigan is the wrong place to be when that is the case. I escaped last year with the intent of a permanent move to Georgia, but after I was down there for a few weeks the previous job/current job realized they wanted me there. Hell of a way to get a raise and promotion, but some deals a person can't refuse... Now that it's getting cold up here again I wish I would have been settled in down there when they called me. Winter sucks.

Being as I'm a Chicago boy born and raised, I feel your pain!

[saltfly]

Found the web page. I forgot I gave a friend this site. He normally doesn’t keep sites bookmarked. Its marinepartsoutlet.com Its located in Florida of course. You guys down there are lucky. there are just so many places to get thing from. But that kit gran found would be the best way to extend your motor.  A lot of new motors come with those kits on them. I knew some one would find it on the web. I kind of figured it would be gran. I think he has every part available cataloged in his head. :elephant:    

[Callyb]

Scott, the extension kit was my initial thought, but when I called them a few weeks ago and they quoted me $830 for the kit. That ruled it out as far as I was concerned, but maybe I'll call back and see what they say this time. I can make $400 work!

Salt, thanks for the link. I'll call them tomorrow on the off chance that shipping wouldn't kill the deal. And I 100% agree with you...the guys in Florida are very lucky. In my area everyone is pretty partial to their I/O setups. So there is not an abundance of used outboard stuff, at least not on the cheap.

Bob, I need to follow your lead and escape for good someday!