Installing a new jack plate, any suggestions??

[racerkvn]

I have a 6" jack plate that I am going to install on my boat this weekend, any suggestions on where to start with motor height and props? I was thinking of seeting it up 1 1/2" to 2" below the pad and trying a 26 Chopper. Do Choppers run good on these boats? My Dad ran several Gamblers years ago, and he ran Choppers on them, but I can't remember if he had trouble setting them up. Is that in the ball park to start with? I DON"T have a low water pick up yet. But it's coming, I will have the boat running again before I get the LWPU though. I know a couple have told me on here that the LWPU are a must for this shorter boat, why is that, so you can run the motor up alot higher? What would be the max rpms for me to look for?

Oh yea, about the boat now: 18' Gambler with a Mariner Mag II 150, turning a Laser II 26p to 6000 to 6100 now with no jack plate and about a foot to a foot and a half roost, it feels alittle sluggish getting out of the hole, but pulls pretty good on top, and is suprisingly responsive mid range. It almost feels like the prop is washing out trying to get it up on top. I almost wouldn't mind trying to spin a 28 Chopper to see what happens. I just don't know if the motor has enough butt to pull it, being a 150.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.... happy fishin'

[racerkvn]

Well, I put the jackplate on it. It made a big difference on the hole shot, didn't make much difference on top. The shaft was 5" below the pad with no jackplate on it, I moved the motor up to 4" inches below the pad when I put the jackplate on it. That in it's self probably helped the hole shot, maybe not the jackplate. I am still turning the 26p prop to 6100, so it ain't turning anymore rpms than before. I'll leave it alone till I can get a bigger prop and get my rpms down before I raise the motor on up.

I did take a GPS this time, the lake so friggin' rough and crowded, I couldn't get it trimmed out and strollin' before I'd have to back off the gas, but did read right at 66 mph. the GPS couldn't pick up speed as fast as the boat, so it never got a good reading the whole time. Does this sound about right, with the motor setting 4 inches below and turning a 26p to 6100 rpms? I am starting to second guess my tach now, because a couple of guys have told me there is no way a stock 150 should turn a 26 that high on a Gambler, that deep.... I ain't got a clue...

[ldbass55]

when you get the low water pickup, and can raise the engine some you will see better speeds, but the holeshot will start to get worse..dont know if you got the top 4 water intake holes blocked, but that will help you to raise it some....i ran a 150 on my 18 for a short time... it wouldn't turn a 26...maybe the laser turns easier... could the motor have been modified????
i know quite a few guys back in the day that ran 200's with 150 cowls...i always ran choppers on mine, but back then that was the only performance prop out there... there are much better options today...the turbo txp has a blade set up that looks like a chopper, but without the spin out of the hole...just wish they would put bigger vent holes in them...

[racerkvn]

It runs good for sure, to be an '88. I just can't beleive it pulls that many rpms with motor that low! I could go on up with the motor, but until I get some different props to try, I will probably leave it alone. I didn't think the motor should turn over 5800 rpms? It still pulls really well at 6000 rpms, it's not like it loses power or anything. I would normally run a motor till it falls off power, then back it down a touch! But some people have told me do not over rev the motor!

ldbass, What is the best way to plug some of the holes on the lower unit? I have seen it and heard of it done alot, but never knew what to plug them with.

[ldbass55]

it can be done several ways... marine tex... bondo.. but the best way is the way willie came up with...maybe he will get on here and give you the exact specifics, but you use a tap to thread the top 4 holes, an screw 4 allen screws into the holes with some good locktite on the threads...the whole operation takes about 15 min, and you can take them out if you want.... i think he had some pics, i will see if i can dig them up... he can give you the exact size tap and screw that you need...
LD

[cowtrimmer]

tap them out 5/16 coarse 18tpi or fine 24 tpi and get some SS set screws
like these. if you cant find them local try this place http://www.mcmaster.com/

[ldbass55]

thanks jeff...
LD

[racerkvn]

Man, that is a good idea!!! Do I need to make sure none of the chips fall inside the lower unit? I can put grease on the tap, and that will make the chips stick to it. But it's bound to let one or two in there..... Thanks guys........

[cajun1]

I have a 209 Gambler with a 200 EFI and a 10 in. jackplate , with the plate jacked up all the way I'am still 4.5 in. below the pad , so I need a new jackplate before I buy a new prop. WHICH ONE
I'am looking at a ratchet jack.



Modified by cajun1 at 3:22 PM 6/28/2006

[racerkvn]

I bet you got some more holes on your motor mount to go up on. There should be enough holes and travel on that motor and jackplate to get the prop shaft out of the water!! You will have to remove the motor from the jackplate, and move up to another set of holes, on the mount.

[cajun1]

Well I wish that was the case , that motor is on the last hole , all the way up. But I,am like you how can a jack plate not pick up a motor higher than 4.5 in. below the pad. It is a 1996 and it could be that they did't go very high back then?

Thank you for the reply and I'll take all the help I can get.


Modified by cajun1 at 11:17 PM 6/28/2006

[racerkvn]

Are you in the very top holes or the very bottom holes on the mount? It sounds like it needs to be in the very bottom holes. I can't imagine that sucker not being able to go up any higher than 4.5 below the pad!!! What kind of MPH and RPM are you getting out of it? Is that 4.5" to the center of the prop housing (shaft)? Your motor has the same mounting holes as mine for sure, I think it is an industry standard for the bolt pattern on the motor mount. I wish I could give some advise...but I'm at a loss. That thing has to have more adjustment!

As for a new jackplate, I personally like T&H Marine. No real reason, we just always used their stuff, and we have never had a minutes trouble of anything from them....

[cajun1]

This motor is in the bottom hole and that is 4.5 in from the bottom of the pad to the center of the shaft. This jackplate has only 2 in. of travel. I called Gambler to talk about this jackplate and to ask them about a Gambler jackplate but they havent called me back. I'am going to look up t&m on the net. I have 25 in. predator runs 5500 RPM 60 MPH at 3800' elevation. Last week I tried a 23 tempest plus 6100 RPM at 61 MPH too many rpm's. I was going to try a 24 trophy plus next but I think I need to put on a new jackplate first.
I'll let you know what happens next.

I'll look up T&H on net.

[racerkvn]

I have never seen a jackplate that wouldn't let it come up more than that! Mine only has about 2" of travel, but my motor is set in the middle hole on the mount. I would get rid of that plate for sure... Sounds like if you could come on up higher, you could swing a bigger prop and get alot more speed out of it. Mine is a 150 (not sure if any mods have been done), turning a 26p Lazer II to 6100 rpms at 4 inches below the pad, and right around 66 mph. I put a new ET prop on it yesterday, but haven't made it the river yet, it's a 27p. I'm trying to get my rpms down to around 5800, I bet I won't be able to swing this prop though! Check out T&H Marine, I have the Pro Hi-Jacker HP 6" model. The only thing is, you have to keep the adjusting bolt greased up, or it will, without a doubt seize up! I use an anti-seize on mine, some people just use a good grease.

Man...that just blows my mind that your motor won't come up any higher than that!

[cajun1]

Ok I talked to the owner of rapid jack and he thinks that I might have to change jack plate size, the 10 in. I'am runing now has too much rooste tail so he told me to get on the net and find other 209 Gambler owners and find out what size jack plate they are runing. He said he's not sure if I need a 12 in. or a 8 in. , whith out seeing the boat run there is no way for him to tell.


Thank You

[Mac]

I too have my motor raised all the way up on the jack and I'm still 3.5 inches below the pad. I'm at the MAX height I can travel. I too own a 95 Gambler 209. I first have to find a trim assembly. Mine leaks down while under torque from the motor. Trim motor is fine though...I had that checked. I have the stock 10" jack supplied by Gambler. I'm throwing a minimal rooster tail. I also can't get my baot on pad so I'm not much help.

Mac

[cajun1]

I tried a 23" tempest plus last week and after trying different vents and taking out 2 of the vents completely and leaving 1 with the big hole it was a good hole shot. This was in the heat of the day and with me and a guy that weighed 250 and full live wells. The only thing with just me and no water in the wells, at top end I was running 61 (gps) mph at 6100 rpm. My motor red lines at 5800 rpm so next I'am going to try a 24 trophy plus. I know the speed seems slow but this is at 4000' elevation. The boss at ratchet jack told be that having a motor on the bottom hole is very dangerous he did not tell why but I'm going to ask him .

[ldbass55]

the stock plate gambler installed on the 209 was a 10 inch....invest the extra money, and get a hydro plate....you wont regret it....
LD

[cajun1]

Were do you find the big advantage in a hydraulic plate? I've never had one.
on a 209 what do you think an 8 10 or 12"

[ldbass55]

10 inch hydro..... lets you dial the height in to match the conditions... also lets you set the plate for the best holeshot...the best money you will ever spend...if you want to run your best.....the hydro is the only way to go.....
LD