Springfield Jackplate Repair

Well, after some research and some phone calls to various people in Texas looking for parts, I've decided to make repairs myself. The brackets holding the electric jackplate onto the back of my Springfield set-back and manual jackplate (I think that's what all that stuff is) have developed a couple cracks. It had already started when I bought the boat and became progressively worse - I'm assuming it is a result of metal fatigue from 11 year old lower grade aluminum and a fall of traversing washboarded roads. I've got some aircraft grade aluminum that will arrive via UPS on monday and should have one bracket done by mid-week. 4 x 4 x 1/2 inch aluminum angle is hard to find in anything less than a 20ft stick! It might not end up perfect, but I'll have to settle for some cosmetic set-backs due to the lack of access to an end mill. I'll be sure to post pictures when I get the first one done. If anyone has any tips for making these, chime in! Wish me luck!

http://www.kiehneyephoto.com/Images/Boat/jp2.jpg

http://www.kiehneyephoto.com/Images/Boat/jp3.jpg

Never seen two jackplates on a Skeeter. I would say that the Jackplate was not designed to have another jackplate hung off it and especially a hydraulic jackplate. Hopefully the material you found will work.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doug Vahrenberg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Never seen two jackplates on a Skeeter. I would say that the Jackplate was not designed to have another jackplate hung off it and especially a hydraulic jackplate. Hopefully the material you found will work.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed.
It looks like it's not only cracked, but starting to bend backward.
I hope the repair works for you, but I personally could not sleep at night unless it was completely replaced.

I thought it was a little odd having two jackplates also! It sure makes for some hellacious back spacing. Do you think this was assembled post-dealer? The boat is in hibernation 'till spring now, so I have some time to get things done. I definitely won't be running it until it's fixed. I'm thinking that instead of putting slots in the new brackets, I'll just put a single hole - there's really no reason to have more adjustment over what the hydraulic jackplate provides, plus it would prevent the same type of 'bending'. The current brackets are 3 x 4 x 1/2" (3" on the slotted side), I'm hoping that the 4 x 4" will provide some extra 'beefiness'. I'm kinda concerned on how much beer this is going to cost me during the fix! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kdkiehn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I'm kinda concerned on how much beer this is going to cost me during the fix! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif </TD></TR></TABLE>

Depends on the friend. If it were me....... A lot. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

I don't if i would "modify" a jp to fix it.........I'm like Tony i wouldn't be able to sleep at night and would be scared my motor would fall off. Why not replace the jp with a new one and be done and not have to worry..........

I would not mess with fixing that plate, its old, fatigued and beginning to show signs of failure. I would just look for new or a good used plate. The reason is because a while back I was thinking about 2" spacers on my old ZX185 and had some of the engineers here at work put some numbers together because we were worried about transom damage. You would not believe the amount of stress and torque that is put on a boats transom and jackplate, I was suprised. You can get a really good used plate for $200 or so.

I appreciate the concern http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif
I've checked everything over pretty dang thoroughly, even had a heliocopter mechanic look it over (I know, boats are little different, but he knows his metal and heck, you can't be iffy when fixing medstar copters!) The only signs of stress are where those dang slots are - kind of a natural week spot and a bad design IMO. Aside from the slots cracking out after 11 years of use, everything was engineered to be on the back of that boat, so I can't see doing any harm by just fixing what's broke. The new brackets will only have 1.75" long slots and will have an extra inch of aluminum to the outside of them. I'll definitely be watching it all closely next year, the next time I see fatigue, the whole thing gets replaced. For now, I just can't see replacing everything when the problem pieces are reletively cheap and easy to machine and improve. I'll let you know how they come out!

Hey Kacey.
Just out of curiosity whats the total setback on your jackplate?

That was my next question. Anything over 12" the loads are incredible on the transom even at 2" at a time. I would not even consider more than 12" on that rig.

don't be stupid dude....replace it now.
If it fails again then you have the expense of the repair now PLUS a new jackplate. What if you have someone with you when something happens or someone else is hurt...
What if your insurance comes across this post here on BBC and decides you're not covered AFTER an accident because of it????
Fix it right the first time.
Helicopter Mechanic or not....it's not worth it.

BTW I'm not calling you stupid, I'm saying don't do something stupid http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif ....just a figure of speech

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kdkiehn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well, after some research and some phone calls to various people in Texas looking for parts, I've decided to make repairs myself. The brackets holding the electric jackplate onto the back of my Springfield set-back and manual jackplate (I think that's what all that stuff is) have developed a couple cracks. It had already started when I bought the boat and became progressively worse - I'm assuming it is a result of metal fatigue from 11 year old lower grade aluminum and a fall of traversing washboarded roads. I've got some aircraft grade aluminum that will arrive via UPS on monday and should have one bracket done by mid-week. 4 x 4 x 1/2 inch aluminum angle is hard to find in anything less than a 20ft stick! It might not end up perfect, but I'll have to settle for some cosmetic set-backs due to the lack of access to an end mill. I'll be sure to post pictures when I get the first one done. If anyone has any tips for making these, chime in! Wish me luck!

http://www.kiehneyephoto.com/Images/Boat/jp2.jpg

http://www.kiehneyephoto.com/Images/Boat/jp3.jpg</TD></TR></TABLE>

Looks like there's a cracks right at the bolts too http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eek.gif

In my opinion, I would take it down to one plate with the set back you desire. If we rig a boat that needs more set back than what the hydraulic plate will allow, we use a Hydro Dynamics static plate (rigid, non adjustable). The problem is with 2 jack plates bolted together, there is too much movement between the engine and the transom.

I would also be concerned about fixing the one that is showing stress cracks, thats just a gamble on not if but WHEN its going to fail.

I have seen what happens when a jackplate fails while going down the lake and it aint a pretty sight!!!!!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kdkiehn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I thought it was a little odd having two jackplates also! It sure makes for some hellacious back spacing. Do you think this was assembled post-dealer? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Umm, hell yeah!!! No self respecting dealer with any regard to the safety of the general boating public would send a boat out of their door set up like that. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/doh.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/doh.gif That Sir, is an accident waiting to happen. You need to choose ONE jackplate that will give your boat optimum performance and stick with it. Not to mention that most likely, you are way over the maximum allowable setback for your hull per Skeeter.

I would agree with Marty, you need just one jackplate. It's ok to add spacers to a hydraulic jackplate, but not another adjustable jackplate. What's your total setback? Skeeters normally have a fair bit of setback but that appears to be more than you need and more stress on the transom than needed.

My fishing partner has a ZX-175 with a 175 Merc on it and has a 5 or 6" Static plate, I think it is either a CMC or a TH marine and then a CMC hydraulic plate bolted to it. But only one moves. I'm not sure of the total set back either 10 or 12" and no problems. But the only plate that moves is the hydraulic not the static. It can be done. But do not try and repair that disaster! You have metal fatigue and you cannot fix that.

It's 18" total of setback - I agree, a little extreme (assuming I'm measuring that right). I also concede that while I'm eliminating the brackets as a weak point, I'm inherently creating a new weak point somewhere else. I can garauntee the new brackets won't give first. According to the previous owner, the boat has been ran in this configuration for over 5 years and it runs and handles great - that doesn't mean it was smart to do so however. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif With that said, except for some fit and finish, I'm pretty much done with the first bracket. After hearing everyone's concerns, I think I'll use this as an experiment opportunity. I'll run with everything a time or two this spring, then remove the hydraulic plate (looks pretty simple to do) and see how I like that. If that's not up to my standards, I'll look to getting rid of the Springfield manual plate with the setback and just running the hydraulic. I'll get some pics of the new brackets up soon.

For future reference, do torque specs exist for the bolts connecting a jackplate directly to the transom?

Thanks!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by -BjBnet- &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Looks like there's a cracks right at the bolts too http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eek.gif </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, the brackets are trash, they should have been 4 inch angle like the new ones will be instead of 3 inch. - Maybe why Springfield quit the jackplate business. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eyes.gif I'm glad I caught it when I did!


Modified by kdkiehn at 9:19 PM 11/25/2008

12" has been the standard on a Skeeter for years. Hydraulic jackplates have never been offered by the factory. But if you are interested T&H just introduced a 12" jackplate.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kdkiehn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's 18" total of setback - I agree, a little extreme.

Thanks!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've never heard of ANY bassboat running 18" of setback. The Bullets and Strokers usually run the most setback and 14" is normally the maximum for them.....I have heard of a couple with 15". 12" of setback is the normal for the larger Skeeters.

If you're going to run 18" of setback then you WILL have problems and you'll also
not likely ever get the boat running at its best.

Please listen to the guys here and don't be "doing your own thing". 18" of setback would be a disaster waiting to happen.