Question re: increasing transom height

[temgejr]

I have a 13' fiberglass boat that I want to raise the transom about 3 or 4 inches. The motor sits too low past the bottom of the boat. Someone told me to use a pressure treated 2x4 and place it on top of the transom bolt it down and then bolt on a new motor plate over that once I've got it all secure.

Does this sound like my best bet or does anyone else have any suggestions.

Thanks for your help!

Tommy

[Tom Powers]

How big is the motor?

3 or 4 inches sounds like a lot for that technique. One or two probably would be OK. I did that with a 1 1/2 inch block and a 6 HP motor for years on a sailboat.

Another question is where are the bolts/clamps that hold the motor onto the boat. I would not rely on the "2x4" if it is where the clamps hit.

Here is something to consider. How about making a sandwich of PT wood and a few pieces of 1/8" to 3/16" Aluminum plate. Bed everything down in 3M-5200. Even one piece on the outside would really help.

[temgejr]

Tom and Jim -
I like your idea. Would it benefit me to have pressure treated wood extend down on either side of the transom for more support? Or do you think that the aluminum plates will be enough support to hold everything in place?

Thanks again for your advice so far.

Tommy

[temgejr]

I'll have to check to see exactly how high I need to raise the transom but I ran across the mini-jacker... Looks like it has a 3" lift. Any thoughts on this? Or do you think the cost savings would be significant on a do it myself job.

Mini-Jacker for Clamp-on Outboards

[BUDC]

I'll have to check to see exactly how high I need to raise the transom but I ran across the mini-jacker... Looks like it has a 3" lift. Any thoughts on this? Or do you think the cost savings would be significant on a do it myself job.

Mini-Jacker for Clamp-on Outboards

The old saying is "Pay me now or pay me later."
You may save a few bucks doing it yourself, and later lose a motor. Net result sucks and $80 is not a huge amount. This jack plate is designed to do the job, looks to install in an hour or less and probably would only double or so the cost of your homejob.
With the money available, save yourself a lot of potential headaches. Spend the $$ now and enjoy the time on your boat.
JMHO
budc

[Tom Powers]

So we are back to the question of how much do you need to raise it up. One or two inches with the mounting hardware down the transom at least 4 inches and a 2x2 should be fine.

I remembered why I had the block on my sailboat. I couldn't tilt the motor up far enough for it to clear the water when I was heeled over without the block.

[temgejr]

Thanks again for all the insight....

Budc helped me make my decision with "You may save a few bucks doing it yourself, and later lose a motor."

I decided to just go ahead and order the "mini jacker". I was looking at where the motor would be mounted if I were to lift it up about 2.5 to 3 inches and it seemed like the mounts would be getting a little too close to the top of the transom. I will have to let everyone know how this works out. I should be picking up the jacker today at Cobe Marine in Pasadena... cost 79.99 and they had free shipping to their store. I think with shipping at Bass pro I would have been up closer to 85 or 90 and would of had a 1 - 2 week wait.

Thanks again for all the replies.

Tommy

[BUDC]

Just for the record, nothing says a homemade design isn't as good or better than the store-bought rig. In this case, the time and effort to fabricate simply would not be worth it to me when $80.00~ and an hour or so would put me overboard.
Calm seas
Full coolers
Cold beer

budc

[temgejr]

The install went super easy! Took about 30-40 minutes. Can't wait to drop it next week to see the difference in the ride. Thanks again for everyone's input!

Tommy