raising transom on a boat for a long shaft.

[Kennym2022]

hey everyone, i recently acquired a 1976 johnson 35 hp long shaft and want to put it on my 14 ft wide aluminum boat. My boat was made before Hull tags and coast guard stickers were a thing, but i checked with a marina and he said that the boat will handle the motor as long as i raise the transom about 5 inches. i checked and my transom is dipped about 5 inches. what is the best way to raise it other than a jack plate

 

[airshot]

Why not replace the lower unit on the motor with a shorter one, probably less work !! Most came with either a 15" or 20" leg and they are interchangable.

 

[racerone]

If it has the 5" spacer it might be easy.----Post picture of your motor.

 

[Kennym2022]

 

[Kennym2022]

That’s my motor, there is no spacer and there is really no parts for these, especially considering I got the motor free

 

[racerone]

Your location ?----What do you mean " there is no parts for these " ?----You would have to change that exhaust housing.----So what would your budget be to raise the transom or shorten the motor ?

 

[Kennym2022]

Your location ?----What do you mean " there is no parts for these " ?----You would have to change that exhaust housing.----So what would your budget be to raise the transom or shorten the motor ?

I decided I am just going to get a piece of three-quarter inch plywood double Laurich, and make it go the entire length of the transom

 

[airshot]

Not ideal, but will work if you make it solid. How is the existing wood or are you replacing all the transom wood?

 

[jbcurt00]

Several topics about doing similar, none were satisfied w results

Jasoutside had 1.

What's 3/4 Laurich?

 

[Kennym2022]

Several topics about doing similar, none were satisfied w results

Jasoutside had 1.

What's 3/4 Laurich?

Sorry meant 3/4 layered. My final thickness was 2 1/4 in thick

 

[Kennym2022]

Not ideal, but will work if you make it solid. How is the existing wood or are you replacing all the transom wood?

Before it just had a 2x6. I traced the back and put 2 1/4” plywood bottom to top

 

[Kennym2022]

That’s how it turned out

 

[airshot]

Was the original wood solid ?

 

[Kennym2022]

Was the original wood solid ?

No clue, the previous 2x6 def wasn’t original

 

[jimmbo]

Get a Tilt/Trim Pin for that engine.
What kind of Plywood did you choose for your Modification?

 

[airshot]

No clue, the previous 2x6 def wasn’t original

I meant, was it solid before your mods....

 

[Kennym2022]

I meant, was it solid before your mods....

If by solid you mean sturdy, then no, it flexed a lot, now, yes

 

[Kennym2022]

Get a Tilt/Trim Pin for that engine.
What kind of Plywood did you choose for your Modification?

Yeah I’m trying to find a pin, and it’s just normal 3/4, non ground contact, and I’m encasing the whole thing in fiberglass resin