Should I Raise the Engine

[Bruce]

Hi there, as it turns out I just recently purchased Jeff J's 92 Pulse 170 with an Evinrude 120. Boat runs flawlessly and obtains a speed around 53 or so according to the Speedo. I've poking around in the threads with respect to Jack Plates etc and have been measuring from Pads to Shaft centers and have noticed that I'm currently setup with about a 5 1/2 inch difference. The motor is currently bolted onto the plate at the 2nd notch from the top on the motor. I can move the motor up another 2 notches which would buy me another 1 1/2 in height. What do you think, will it buy me anything, this is a Pulse and from what I've been able to gather installing a Jack Plate may create some stress on this type of Boat even at 5.5 inch set back. Any Word's of Wisdom are very Welcome !!

Thanks

Bruce

[Bruce]

Hi there, as it turns out I just recently purchased Jeff J's 92 Pulse 170 with an Evinrude 120. Boat runs flawlessly and obtains a speed around 53 or so according to the Speedo. I've poking around in the threads with respect to Jack Plates etc and have been measuring from Pads to Shaft centers and have noticed that I'm currently setup with about a 5 1/2 inch difference. The motor is currently bolted onto the plate at the 2nd notch from the top on the motor. I can move the motor up another 2 notches which would buy me another 1 1/2 in height. What do you think, will it buy me anything, this is a Pulse and from what I've been able to gather installing a Jack Plate may create some stress on this type of Boat even at 5.5 inch set back. Any Word's of Wisdom are very Welcome !!

Thanks

Bruce

[175checkmate]

I would raise it up on the transom first. No cost and I think you will see a differance. I noticed a large increase between my motor all the way down and all the way up. I had an older hyd plate that had almost no set back. I could raise the plate all the way up and still have water pressure. The new set up with 5.5" of set will allow me to go even higher. Have not tested the set up yet.

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/images/avatars/GusAvatar2.jpg


1975 Checkmate Tri-mate 2, 2.4 200+ / Sky jacker 6" plate / 25p Laser 2 prop

[Bruce]

Thanks, just came back downstairs, for what its worth I measured from the cavitation plate to bottom of Pad 2 1/2 inches. Double checked from the Centre of Prop to Pad and it is 5 1/4 or so.

As suggested, I'll try moving it up with the existing motor mount and see what happens. I should be safe for water pressure etc since this adjustment will bring the Prop centre to within 3 inches or so below the Pad.

Yee Ha !!

[JW]

You'll like that boat better with the propshaft up to 3"! The Pulse transom is VERY thick, I wouldn't worry about breaking it with that small motor. You can easily set that motor back 14" without worry, AS LONG AS all holes in the transom have been properly sealed over the years and it's still solid/dry. 14" of setback, propshaft 2" below the pad, a good new Raker prop, and you'll be flying! Start saving up for a good 200 horse 2.5 and then you'll get to well over 70 on gps...........

Checkmates owned: 1995 Pulsare 2100BR/1995 Mercury Promax 225 2.5 EFI. 1995 Persuader 183/4.3 LX V6. 1992 Pulse 171/1992 Mercury XR6 150 hp 2.5 liter.

[Bruce]

Thanks for the confirmation, too bad the shop I'll have make the adjustment is not open on Sundays. I can foresee a Jack Plate coming into the picture in the not so far future. I don't think the garage roof trusses are strong enough or else I'd be doing it myself.

I appreciate the advice, as I realize this has been discussed many many times before.

[C-mate 280]

Raise the motor yourself!!!! here is an easy way,
-with boat on the trailer put motor in vertical position
-place a block so it fits just under the skeg of the motor
-lift tongue of trailer so skeg rests on the block
-loosen motor bolts while buddies hold motor from tipping
-when bolts are removed lift trailer tongue until motor mount holes line up with desired mounting height.
-replace and tighten bolts.
It took me and my teen aged sons 20 minutes.

[Bruce]

Thanks C-Mate for the suggestion, with the Tongue Jack it makes it even simplier. I'm toying with a Jack Plate so I may forgo raising it the one notch. But Thanks just the same, as I'm going back and forth on the Jack Plate scenario.

[JW]

While you're at it, order a CMC powerlift for $199 from BassPro.com and install that baby, then you can raise it yourself in 5 minutes....... http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

Checkmates owned: 1995 Pulsare 2100BR/1995 Mercury Promax 225 2.5 EFI. 1995 Persuader 183/4.3 LX V6. 1992 Pulse 171/1992 Mercury XR6 150 hp 2.5 liter.

[Bruce]

I'm getting closer, I'm looking to install a water pressure gauge this week. I'll probably have the jack plate installed soon, maybe not for a run this year we'll have to see if the weather holds. The jackplate setup will give me something to look forward to in the spring time though.