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View Full Version : HOW to - jack plate height/engine height



Techno
08-20-2007, 08:53 PM
If your going to change your propshafts height you need to know what this height is. It isn't the top of the clamps or the cavitation plate.
Its where the center of the prop shaft is compared to the lowest point of the hull, the pad. On a Vee hull and modvp this is directly in front of the prop, so its easy :rolleyes: (don't be an ass if you have twins;) )
This measurement is a standard Its not where the water passes the prop. Its where everyone else will be comparing to so can relate. It like any other thing that is measured. It is this point to that point under these conditions.

A: Set the boat hull level, that is the pad is level not the deck or trailer. Put a level on a strake or other flat area near the back of the boat that is flat, no bumps. Again this is the bottom of the boat, the hull.:D
B:Trim the engine down till the prop shaft or cav plate is level.
Put a straight edge on the bottom of the boat and measure the distance to the center of the prop shaft. This is your distance that you can now say you have.
Now a disclaimer. You can be sloppy with the boat level, and the trim level and the measurement. Understand the person saying what they run or suggestion to you is pretty precise. I doubt they are off by 1/16" but if your talking bolt holes it don't matter since each one is 3/4" change.
If you have a jack plate mark it or attach a stickon or ss machinist ruler so you don't have to do this again!!!!

To take the magic out of it.
The purpose of this excercise, moving the engine up- is to move as much of the prop out of the water as possible. Its also moving the draggy parts of the LU out along with your controlling thing called the skeg. This is a measurement and NOT where the water passes the prop. It does mean you might not have water to the intakes:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: Thats an eek for each cylinder.

You MUST have water pressure.
The reason for low water pickups but you can go up without them... which requires a water pressure gauge. Which tells you your up too far if nothing else tells you.
Without a water pressure gauge, even with LWP you have no idea if you have proper water pressure. No water pressure, no coolant, no engine in a very very short time considering the engine is running top RPM-full load.

hsbob
08-21-2007, 10:05 AM
be sure to read Techno's last sentence

"Without a water pressure gauge, even with LWP you have no idea if you have proper water pressure. No water pressure, no coolant, no engine in a very very short time considering the engine is running top RPM-full load"

it only take one or 2 over heats to start the process.

good summary by the way.

JohnR225
08-21-2007, 10:36 AM
When you do this, you want to make sure the ground you are measuring on is level.

Put a level on the flat surface (cement floor) from under the pad to under the back of the propshaft, if this area checks out level you are good to go.

Another good thing to do after you have the pad level and the propshaft level… mark your trim gauge (If you have an electric trim gauge the key has to be on).
Then when you are running your boat, you will know at a glance if you are running tucked, even, or positive trim.

vnemous
08-21-2007, 10:37 AM
Very informative. How about a disortation on prop design relative to heights. Would help me alot.

PS When checking my engine height in the driveway, after getting the boat level and the engine level I place a level on the ground parallel to the hull and L\U and set that to level with a shim. That way if my driveway has a dip or bump I rule that out.

stvhelm
08-21-2007, 12:49 PM
what do you do with a hydrostream with a hook on the pad? some boats have angled pads which would throw that method off


1) level the prop shaft.
2) lay a long level on the ground inline with the boats pad and motor
3) measure the distance from center of the prop shaft to the level on the ground
4) then measure the distance from the pad to the level on the ground
5) subtract the difference this is your accurate number

after you have this measurement you can mark your jack plate and it will save you the measuring trouble in the future.