transom height troubles

[mred 2436]

i recently had to purchase a new boat. there is two inches more in transom height than i had, so now my "planing plate", above the prop, is going to be slightly higher than the bottom of the boat.this is a closed bow, 14 foot run about , with a johnson 9.9 motor...will this cause me cavitation problems? i have room to cut down the transom, but i really hate to do this. is 2 inches enoughh to justify having to add the long shaft extension kit?

 

[bonitoman]

Re: transom height troubles

It you need to get two inches to be even with the bottom of the hull then I would get a manual jack plate. Cost is around $200. It will set the engine back eight inches and you should be ok. If you sell the boat and keep the jack plate it will hold an engine up to a V-6. I had a 20 inch 110 outboard on a 25 inch transom. I needed for length so I picked up an 8 inch set back plate for about $200 from bobs machine shop in ruskin florida. It is better to put a plate in than start cutting transoms. It might cost two hundered versus taking a chunk out of your transom but on reselling the boat if you do not many people want to see a notch cut out of there transom.

 

[JB]

Re: transom height troubles

Two inches may not be a problem, mred.<br /><br />Try it out before you do anything else.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: transom height troubles

I agree. Try it first. <br /><br />Have you put the motor on and looked or are you just estimating?

 

[mred 2436]

Re: transom height troubles

bonito thanks, but thats more than i paid for the boat and trailer!!<br />jb and dh i measured the back of both boats. no i haven't got this guppy wet yet. i have been removing all the poorly installed wiring and other happy crap, and generally just cleaning it up for the moment, but , yes, that will me my first option. if i do have to cut down the transom. do you have any reccommendations on what would be the best way to finish the top edge off?

 

[JB]

Re: transom height troubles

Hi, mred.<br /><br />Did you measure the transom surface or did you measure vertical distance from top of the transom to a point level with the bottom?<br /><br />Remember that your engine shaft will be near vertical. If your new transom slants forward more than the old one it will measure longer than the shaft length.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[mred 2436]

Re: transom height troubles

jb : yeah, i took slant into consideration. i was finally able to set the motor on tonight and WOW is it close! still about 1 1/2 inches high. my biggest fear is that this boat is about 300 lbs. lighter than the old one, so it may come up on plane more. i think i will end up settling for running at lower speed, rather than compromise the transom, as this boat is in excellent shape forthe year ( 1967). when i get a chance to get it wet, i'll try to let ya know how it turns out. thanks much for your time!<br />Ed