I forgot how to measure this again. How does one do this? Thanks.
I forgot how to measure this again. How does one do this? Thanks.
I've used lot's of methods but the simple method I use now is really easy. I put the boat on a level surface, usually the concrete floor in the shop. I use a locking retractable tape measure like the ubiquitous Crafstman version. I put the tape on the floor and pull it up to the end of the pad and lock it. Then I move it about midway down the hull and slide it under the boat. Using the tongue jack I level the boat by adjusting until the mid-hull and pad measurements are the same. I put a level on the propshaft and get the engine trimmed properly. Then, with the tape locked, I move it to the propshaft and simply read the engine height.
The secret is to understand that no measurement is "correct". You just need a consistent way of doing it so that you can make adjustments from the same baseline.
For performance tuning you can set it without even knowing the engine height. Just put a Sharpie mark on the jackplate that crosses the fixed and moving parts of the plate, and then adjust up or down and see what happens relative to the original mark. Move it up a 1/4" and run it. Check how it handles and the water pressure. Repeat as required.
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