12 in and larger jack or setback bracket options

[colinJ]

I just finished a deck and transom job on my old witchcraft. I rebuilt the boat without a splashwell or notch and though I was able to bolt up the previous setup (an old land and sea jackplate with an old 175hp cross flow) its in a less than ideal position without the splashwell (it was in a less than ideal position with the spashwell).

I am hoping someone can give me some advice on what direction to go from here.

So looking at big jackplates and setback brackets:

What I have come across:
Bobs machine 14": https://www.boatownersworld.com/bobs-machine-shop-14-setback-action-series-jack-plate-100-114001.html

TH marine: http://www.blackbearsportinggoods.com/Atlas_14_Setback_Hydr_J_P_p/ellthmaahj14vdp.htm?gclid=CjwKCAjwhqXbBRAREiwAucoo-46UNae0iWFCWQ8RhVYST9IEx9KTD4uyVnaatCHMT0GIts20p8NmlRoCAHUQAvD_BwE&click=12

There are a few other smaller ones in the 10-12 range and then there are these, I guess I would call them Armstrong style brackets for example:

https://www.ebay.com/i/222960815779?chn=ps

The boat (as it was) supposedly had a top speed in the 60, I never went that fast or had a working speedometer. It did chine walk a bit. I bought it as a project.


Here are side profile shots trimmed all the way down. First shot motor all the way up, second shot motor as low as it can go without standing it out at least a few inches.

414742

414743

[Greg G]

What about a ParaLift? They had 12".

[colinJ]

I can't find much info on paralift, at this point I am kind of leaning towards the bob's. There is a manual 14" versa jack that is upgradable to hydraulic for $700.

[XstreamVking]

Paralift is a mercury marine product. They stopped making them. Only find them used now. I have 2 and love them. See them for sale once in a while. 500 bucks or less usually. Porta bracket is top of the heap IMO. I have had one for 18 yrs. Still works like new. Not cheap though.

[colinJ]

I looked up porta bracket, I think that could be more money than I have in my boat. At this price point I am going to go with the bobs machine. Unfortunately there is a 5 week lead time.

I think I could get the boat in the water if the motor was back another couple inches. I have a few feet of this really heavy walled aluminum box tube same as this: http://www.speedymetals.com/pc-4688-8379-4-sq-wall-sq-tube-6063-t52-aluminum.aspx

Any thoughts on using this to make a static standoff bracket behind my land N sea transom jack? I have a milling machine to accuracy drilling the holes is no problem.





Paralift is a mercury marine product. They stopped making them. Only find them used now. I have 2 and love them. See them for sale once in a while. 500 bucks or less usually. Porta bracket is top of the heap IMO. I have had one for 18 yrs. Still works like new. Not cheap though.

[Greg G]

As was said by X, the Porta Bracket is the absolute best which you do not need. Find a Merc Paralift that needs a little love. If I recall, they not only are 12" setback but they have almost the same amount of lift. I'm sure there is one around.

[hsbob]

para lift swing from 7 to 12 setback. be sure to set it up correctly. u need to use the both the swing and the holes on the motor. i like mine on a voyager

[colinJ]

So I have decided to go with the 14" BOB's manual jackplate. They sell an upgrade kit to make it hydraulic but I have a lightly used one piece hydraulic trim assembly from an unknown motor that looks like its just about the right size to adapt in place.

My reasoning is that 14" will put the motor totally behind the boat and it remains at 14" across the entire range.