Jack Plate recommendation

[520vx]

I have a 2002 Ranger 520vx with a 2002 Mercury 225 Optimax wondering what type of set back I should go with...thanks

[trashmanssd]

Unless you are obsessed with speed and or bow lift less is more. The further back the motor is from the transom the more force it applies to the transom in a bad way., It gives the motor weight more leverage trying to pull the transom off the back. Most transoms have knee braces in side but they are more designed to transfer the push from the motor into stringer system not designed to help with the outboard weight. Only one that may help is the Skeeter Aluminum knees braces, the motor bolts do connect through the braces and the transom.

6" seems to be a pretty common size and widely used by manufacturers. 8 are sorta common also but 10-12-14 are not.

[howieranger]

I had a 2002 520DVX that came with a 6" Bob's and I believe that was the recommended size at the time. The 19' and up Rangers are fairly heavy and preform best with a fair amount of setback. the 521, z21 Z521 and Z521 C&L boats are rated for 10" plate. The Ranger transom assembly is designed for the weight and thrust of the outboard transferring the loads from the pultruded transom plate through the Aluminum angle plates (almost 3/4" thick) that are bolted and glassed to the pultruded wings which are gassed to the stringers.

[Rip Bass]

520vx, a 6” set back is all you need on that boat. The transom should handle 8” but there’s no gain in the additional 2”. I’ve had two 520vx and tried it both ways,no difference.

[520vx]

Thanks guys look like 6" is it...

[Paintworx]

I have a 521vx and just switched from a 250 Yamaha with a 12” manual plate to a Merc 250 4 stroke with a 8” bobs hydraulic and I can tell that the boat liked that 12” plate better. I know that the engine is totally different but the boat feels like it wants to dig the front end into the water like it did when I had the 6” manual plate with the Yamaha.
I was nervous about the added stress of the large plate but dang that boat liked the 12” setback. I know your boat is a 520 but my guess is it will like as much setback as you wanna give it. These are heavy boats and it’s all physics.

[1BADAIR]

have any pics of the rigging tubes?