Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Jack Plates on 1986 17 Montauk

Posted by jharrell on 04/21/11 - 6:54 PM
#4

I just put a CMC powered jack plate on my 1986 Montauk which has a 86 Merc inline 6 90hp which weighs about 315lbs I believe. I also have a 6hp Kicker that weighs about 60lbs.

The jackplate so far has raised my top speed from 39mph to 43mph, If I went higher in prop pitch I should be able to go above 45mph.

Of course running shallow is much better, I can clear the skeg from the bottom of the boat with just a little tilt with the jack plate full up and maneuver well in less than 12" of water, and in deep rough water I can put the motor back down to get better bite.

I can perceive no change in my static trim from before the jackplate, which weighs in at 45lbs, but I did move my battery from the rear of the boat to the console and added a second house battery in there as well.

IMO a powered jack plate is a great upgrade for a Montauk making an already versatile boat even more so, especially if your like me and run very shallow regularly while still going near offshore.

Only issues I had with installation where having to nib off some aluminium corner on the frame to fit between the splash well drain tubs as one of my drain is closer to the centerline than the other by about 1/8". Also I had to extend the power wire from the unit so I could mount the relay's in the console, CMC makes it long enough to put them in a rear bilge area, which the Montauk doesn't have, or inside the motor cowling, which I didn't want to do.

Also be sure to get a water pressure gauge for the motor, you want to be able to monitor it to see how far you can raise the motor on plane before water pickups suck air, in my case I can lift it about an inch below max height on a plane before water pressure starts to fall off.

I did the install myself with my engine hoist, it's not a difficult job so long as you have enough slack in your steering/rigging to handle the extra setback and lift, otherwise you get in to new cables, etc. I ended up drilling new bottom holes for the mount bolts as my motor was rigged kinda strange from the dealer.

Edited by jharrell on 04/21/11 - 7:35 PM