Sleekcraft Setback Setup

[waterrocket]

I am in the process of restoring my Sleekcraft SSt I bought a few months ago (carpet,paint mechanical etc). I am replacing the old style jack plate with a new style CMC with 51/2 inches of setback.According to the previous owner and others I have read on this site the boat definitly needs more than 51/2 inches. I think it would be wise to do it now and not have to come back later. Where would a good place to start with the setback? The transom appears to be in very good condition (visually) and how much setback can I add without requiring transom supports that I have seen on here. Please take in regard I am a LEARNER and have yet to drive this boat.Thanks

[O/B Dude]

I used to own an Aristacrat with a 2.4 BP carb. The SST is similar and unless you have the light layup race boat, its almost as heavy. I ran 5.5" CMC hydraulic. It ran ok but even with a big ear chopper it didnt want to carry the bow very well and instead of the trim raising the bow, it would just throw a higher rooster tail. I went to a 10" manual, and things improved. It had a better running attitude. I didnt get much time on it with the 10" because I ended up buying a V-king and I sold the Sleekcraft. I would guess 10-14" would be in line. Maybe get a 10, then add 2" spacers if needed. My boat never ran fast enough to pack serious air in the tunnels for more lift. Ran 75+. Maybe someone else here has more experience with that hull and can comment.

[race#115]

i have aristocrat but i havent tried the boat out yet but it has eight inches of setback and it will do 82 with a 235 .try talking to aircraftman i bought my boat from him.you can find some pics of my boat on the site.

[capnzee]

I have a Sleekcraft SST (1984). It is currently powered by a 200 hp 2.4 Blackmax Merc. The Black Max is mounted on a 10" set back. The Jackplate is about 22 inches high to the bottom of the running surface. I have the engine jacked even higher so that the prop shaft is about 2 1/2" below the bottom of the boat.
My boat is stock and it is heavy, 1300 lbs before the engine goes on. The best speed I have been able to get is 74 mph turning a 26" prop 6500 rpm (poor efficiency of the prop due to weight) The bow will fly, but the tunnel won't carry the boat so the stern rides deeper and the boat don't go no faster, no matter what I do!!So what am I doing? I'm going with a 260 Merc 2.5!
You didn't say what engine you are running or plan to run--maybe you should buy my rig, ready to go (about 5500 dollars) and I will step up to a STV! Capnzee

[aircraftman]

it depends on the year ,design and weight of the hull. youll end up with 8-14" of setback to make it run well and carry the bow with a heavy mota. if you put a lighter mota on it like a merc youll need more!:eek: crazy, but you have to be able to stick the nose way the hell up in the air under 75 mph to get it out of the water and packin air then trim it down as it builds speed after that. in order to do that you need weight way aft. use a prop that has alot of bow lift but one that can surface well. ( the ron hill yammie copy worked real good for me) TRIM the thing out. you should be able to see under it while accelerating. itll work.

[aircraftman]

here,

[Riverratt]

I only have a cmc powerlift on mine with the 51/2" setback. Mine carries the bow just fine. the only problem I have is that the jackplate wont go high enough to get the propshaft even with the bottom If you didn't buy the jackplate yet, you may want to conside one with more up travel.

[O/B Dude]

Hey RR, you can't just move the motor up on the jack plate a couple of holes? If you have a second set of holes in the transom side of the jackplate you may be able to mount the plate higher on the transom. I had to do that on a Carrera I had. Just a thought.

[Riverratt]

I am all the way at the top of the plate and the transom bracket is at the top of the transom so I have no adjustment left

[O/B Dude]

Wow... do you have a short transom? I ran mine about even with the pad with a CMC jackplate and had more to go. I thought the SST had the same transom as an Aristacrat. Not really sure though.

[Riverratt]

If I get a chance I will post some pics of the transom. It doesn't look extremely small but about the top 3 holes of the motor are above the jackplate.

[O/B Dude]

RR...please do that. You really have my curiosity up! :D My setup looked pretty much like the one in Aircraftman's photo.

[Riverratt]

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45920&highlight=sleekcraft

I think there are some pictures of mine in this thread

[O/B Dude]

That looks like a standard SST transom..they are a bit on the short side, arent they. Looks like the transom side of your jackplate is mounted even with the top of the boat. Some jakeplates have a second set of holes about an inch and a half lower so you can mount the jackplate higher on the transom. If yours doesnt, I'd drill 4 new holes in the jackplate and mount it a little higher. The plate will extend a bit above the back of the transom but it looks fine and wont hurt anything as long as the transom is in god shape. Yeah, it puts more leverage on it but not that much more. Sleekcrafts had pretty beefy transoms in them. Very pretty boat.

[Riverratt]

It does have another set of holes but I was afraid to raise it. the transom is solid. I will probably install a set of the cmc 5" extensions when I put the new powerhead on. I think by getting the propshaht even it should pick up alot of speed. Thanks for the compliment.

[capnzee]

If you plan on going up with your motor so that the prop shaft is even with the bottom of the boat, you must have low water pickups as on a Bob's nose cone or a CLE unit. I don't think you ever stated what kind of engine or lower unit you were using so I am just trying to help you so as not to burn up a perfectly good engine. Do you have a water pressure gage. If you don't and you start experimenting with engine heigth you may run out of water. If you do have a water pressure gage, you want to keep a pressure of about 15 lbs. I get down to 12 lbs once in awhile for a short period, but then I keep a close eye on the water temp gage. Hope we aren't confusing you with a lot of stuff you already know but you did say in your first thread that you were a "new" guy. I'm sort of new also so I understand. This thread is full of guys who really know their stuff so listen close. Capnzee

[waterrocket]

Cap,Thanks for the reply.My boat sports a 2.5 Merc. 200 jetted exhaust drilled ,Bobs with low water pu,rejetted,no airbox,and ported to a 2.5 carb high perf specs according to the owner and it was built by Baker Marine.I have not verified except what is visable. It does have a water pressure guage and I have used this sight to learn more from people just like you. Thanks for the advise. I still havent have figured where to put the setback though.I will also have to order a spacer for the jackplate............