300xs Install Heights............

**32DougWright** · 04-29-2016, 06:33 PM

As some of you know - I purchased a couple of 300xs's and had them "professionally" installed at Holeshot Marine here in Oklahoma City. Have you guys ever seen them installed unevenly on the Jackplates? Is that a common practice? I have only been running outboards for a year - but it doesn't seem right.

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**Euroski** · 04-29-2016, 06:40 PM

no, to best of my knowledge

**davemvegas** · 04-29-2016, 07:07 PM

it looks to me like one jackplate is adjusted higher than the other. one roller is between the T and F. the other roller is above the T. try raising the lowest one to even height.

**32DougWright** · 04-29-2016, 07:26 PM

I agree. Is there any reasonable explanation for doing it that way instead of making them identical? I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt.

**FUJIMO** · 04-29-2016, 07:52 PM

Large performance outboards on offshore brackets should be double bolted at the top, especially on any type of solid surface, such as a bracket or jack-plate. Washers are common sense. I recommend "AN" size washers. To answer your question...No...one engine is never installed higher than the other. Somethings rotten in Denmark.

**vnemous** · 04-29-2016, 08:03 PM

Agreed they should be at the same bolt hole. If you lower or raise Jacks full are the motors even? Could the BIA been drilled off?

**32DougWright** · 04-29-2016, 08:36 PM

I have not tried to raise the jack plates all the way up to take a look. What is the BIA? This is my first OB boat and I am still trying to learn.

I have had another mechanic going through all of their supposed work and making a list of things that need to change. They removed all of the bushings from the tie bar and steering pieces - then left them off and didn't bother tightening up the jack plate bolts on the sides. I would list everything they did, didn't do and what they charged me for parts but then it shows how much of an idiot I was. $717 for 2 oil tanks with senders - installation was additional..........

I was told to take the boat to Gulf Coast Marine down in Houston - but didn't listen and made the decision to stay local. My recommendation is stay far away from the boat shops on SW 44th in Oklahoma City, don't even use them as a last resort.

**CNC_Guy** · 04-29-2016, 08:54 PM

BIA is the standard bolt pattern on the motor clamps.

**Markus** · 04-30-2016, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by 32DougWright

This is my first OB boat and I am still trying to learn.

You will have to learn how to do things yourself. The vast majority of outboard mechanics are incompetent. What you have witnessed is pretty much the norm.

**vnemous** · 04-30-2016, 07:22 AM

I rigged an older Sea Ski, made by Sea Ray, Some one originally drilled the BIA, clamp bolt pattern, with one hole at top of clamp and other hole at the bottom. So now there is no adjustment for up or down with out drilling more holes in transom. Obviously they didnt use a BIA jig. Bozo's

**32DougWright** · 04-30-2016, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by Markus

You will have to learn how to do things yourself. The vast majority of outboard mechanics are incompetent. What you have witnessed is pretty much the norm.

3K to swap motors just to have it redone along with missing my trip to the swamp..... Lesson Learned.

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

Large performance outboards on offshore brackets should be double bolted at the top, especially on any type of solid surface, such as a bracket or jack-plate. Washers are common sense. I recommend "AN" size washers. To answer your question...No...one engine is never installed higher than the other. Somethings rotten in Denmark.

I like the idea of double bolting the engines to the jackplate at the top. This boat will see some ruff water eventually. Great catch on the washers as well. Thank you for the input.

**Krazymaan** · 04-30-2016, 10:26 AM

A few things come to mind. If you put a straight edge across all jack plates are they dead on? That could be a reason the motors are at different elevations. Second, maybe they put a straight edge straight out the back of the bottom of the boat and put all off the prop shafts 1" or whatever above the transom line following the curvature of the bottom of the boat. Thats all I got.

**WILDMAN** · 04-30-2016, 11:37 AM

Probably whoever put them on can't count the holes! Put them on the same holes and adjust with the jackplates.

**Scream And Fly** · 04-30-2016, 12:43 PM

I agree - those should be on the same holes and be adjusted with the jackplates.

**jpf091959** · 04-30-2016, 05:04 PM

If they aren't too far away, just ask them to make the fix. It wouldn't take much time at all, assuming the Transom was drilled properly.

I am with Markus, learn to do this stuff yourself or with the help of members here on the boards.