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Hello All, This is my first visit to the Whaler Central forum as I am now a proud Whaler owner. I have found forums to be so helpful with so many of my projects, a lot of knowledge and experience is graciously shared by other enthusiasts. Hopefully I will find the same here. I recently bought a 1983 Montauk 17 and am doing a light restoration. The boat came with an engine jack plate that is no longer functional. I'm wondering, is there is any advantage to keeping the engine mounted to the plate? It is in its fully down adjustment which puts the engine about 2" higher than if were attached directly to the transom. The plate itself off-sets the engine aft about 6". If you were me would you remove it? Is there a performance advantage to the engine being 6" aft of the transom? It would be nice if it functioned but I'm not interested in trying to rebuild it. Thanks for your help. I've been more of a car hobbyist so I'm pretty new to the boat scene.
I tried to attach photos but it doesn't look like it worked.
The answer depends on where the bolt holes in the transom are located.
Most Boston Whaler dealers back in the day (pre-2002) mounted the engine at the time of purchase using the blind holes in the engine bracket. This does not allow helght adjustment.
Over time owners it was determined the ideal position for the engine was 2-3 holes up, with the top bolts in the 3rd hole down from the top.
When owners repowered, the new engine could not be installed at the appropriate height without either a) repairing and redrilling holes or b) installing a bracket using the old transom holes and mounting the engine to the bracket at an increased height.
Then again, some owners added setback brackets to lift the engine for shallow water boating or they wanted to be speed demons.
Edited by Phil T on 07/14/21 - 8:42 AM
1992 Outrage 17 I
2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+
2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
Thanks Phil T! The motor is a 1991 Yamaha 90hp and it looks like the transom holes will work with the motor raised the 3 holes you mentioned. currently it is raised 4 holes on the jack plate. The more I think on it I might keep the plate. I'm going to look into rebuild parts availability for it and then consider fixing it. I hooked up the electric pump and the motor works, it might just be a matter of resealing the hydraulic units. I've not worked on hydraulic pumps and rams so I don't know the level of difficulty. If anyone has any tips on this please let me know.
Kim
Phil T wrote:
The answer depends on where the bolt holes in the transom are located.
Most Boston Whaler dealers back in the day (pre-2002) mounted the engine at the time of purchase using the blind holes in the engine bracket. This does not allow helght adjustment.
Over time owners it was determined the ideal position for the engine was 2-3 holes up, with the top bolts in the 3rd hole down from the top.
When owners repowered, the new engine could not be installed at the appropriate height without either a) repairing and redrilling holes or b) installing a bracket using the old transom holes and mounting the engine to the bracket at an increased height.
Then again, some owners added setback brackets to lift the engine for shallow water boating or they wanted to be speed demons.
