FIRST TIMER HERE! need some advice on my transom/motor setup on my Mini Cat.

**CodyRoss** · 06-06-2018, 07:29 PM

first off...this is my first boat project. I found this bad boy for sale on the road ( they were going to take it to the dump) so I snagged it. they saw trash...I saw something amazing here with a little elbow grease and a motor.

my first question is about the transom/motor set up.

the boat is 10 and 1/2 feet long by 4 feet widish.

I have a 28 SPL Johnson motor ( long shaft ) and would like to put in on the boat. But I do know that I will have to Jack it up for optimal performance.

I was thinking a mini jack plate? adjustable plate?

what about plate set back?

any advice will be helpful.

thanks!

**XstreamVking** · 06-07-2018, 10:15 AM

T-H marine makes a light weight set back fixed jack plate that would work well. Adj plate would just be a waste of time as the motor has to be in the water fairly deep for the pickups to work right. Use a stainless 3 blade prop of maybe 13p and it will run out in the 30mph range. Keep the weight low and it will be fun. Make it heavy and it will kill the performance.

**CodyRoss** · 06-07-2018, 02:35 PM

Thanks XstreamVking for the reply.

I will check out T-H Marine. I'm thinking a 5 inch raise on the jack plate??

As for weight. This boat is super light as it is. Should I put the fuel tank and battery up front next to the bulk head ( where my feet are ) ?

**rock** · 06-07-2018, 02:43 PM

Welcome to the site. Most often you are ahead to place most weight toward the rear of the boat but balance is critical. I would put it together and do some testing. You may or may not want weight forward and only testing will tell you for sure. Good luck.

Rock

**NICE PAIR** · 06-07-2018, 07:30 PM

It appears that your motor has a 5" extension in it. Those can be removed leaving the motor shorter, more than likely what you will want for that boat. We used to run the cavitation plate as high as 1" above the bottom on a flat bottomed boat (same water intake you have)
The boat will probably not go fast enough with 28hp to dry the tunnel out so bolt the motor on the transom with the cav plate 2" below the tunnel floor for first try. Good Luck, cool project.

$ .02

**CodyRoss** · 06-07-2018, 10:30 PM

When I take out the extension...Will I need to replace the drive shaft? if so....where can I find one??? or can I shorten that myself?

thanks!

**CodyRoss** · 06-07-2018, 10:34 PM

also...If I decided to go with a more powerful motor or maximized the 28 johnson...any suggestions???

**NICE PAIR** · 06-08-2018, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by CodyRoss

When I take out the extension...Will I need to replace the drive shaft? if so....where can I find one??? or can I shorten that myself?

thanks!

If I remember correctly they had a male/female extension, just take it out. (I do have C.R.S. tendency's) ;-)

**NICE PAIR** · 06-08-2018, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by CodyRoss

also...If I decided to go with a more powerful motor or maximized the 28 johnson...any suggestions???

The motor you have is already paid for, try it and see if you really like the boat. If you've got plenty of little boat experience ... there is no such thing as too much horsepower (40/60hp)

Your 28 will probably need more prop (bigger pitch) also those cowlings were a little tight for air intake, If the motor wont wind up it could be starving for air. If there is a molded handle on the back of the cowling, I used to put 3) 3/4" holes in the back of the casting.

**KIRCHNER** · 06-12-2018, 08:51 PM

Hate to be bearerof bad news but i THINKi had the same .bought at a roadside. tried everything to set it up . almost impossible to plane then it would plow and had to move everything to rear. tried motor up/ down, trim nothing worked. i lost my azz. i think its a scale version of high dollar cat and thought it would perform the same. think i had a 25 h.p. hope it isnt the 1 i had sure looks like it.

**yachter55** · 06-23-2018, 07:32 AM

Welcome Cody. what you have there is a cougar cub. only 300
were made. look in small boats section for all kinds of info. I own one and it was a blast to drive. 25 hp will do the job.center of gravity is everything so if your 140#plus guy everything needs to go forward . I lay on the bow to get it on plain. Good luck. This is the place where you will get great info from great guys.