Transom Lift...?

[Wrkn4alivn]

Hey guys! Been doing some reading and have talked to a few guys with glass boats and larger plates. We were discussing how much deeper the boats sit in the water with the larger plates and they said "Well why don't you just stick a basket ball in your plate and air it up"? Well, that got my little head spinning lol. Just curious as to see if any of y'all running an Xpress have tried this? I'm thinking about giving it a shot but would like to hear what y'all have to say about it too. Thanks!

[Stanford]

I haven't done it on my xpress yet but I had 2 inflatable docking bumpers in my Bullet, it seemed to sit a little higher and helped with the backwash a little also, but not enough to not still have to feather it coming off plane.

[Wrkn4alivn]

Thanks bud! I'm not worried about coming off the pad, I'll be rolling 30mph slower than that bullet lol. If I do the ball and can manage to build a hot shot plate I think it would really help.

[JR250SHO]

I did something simular. I had some of the pink insulation foam, the stuff that comes in a 4'x8' sheet. I cut it to fit into my bobs plate. Can't tell ya if it make much of a difference but I figure it couldn't hurt.

[Wrkn4alivn]

Not sure of the pink stuff you're referring to but I figure a ball filled with air should do it. Just looking for a little lift with my 9.5" plate, 4 strokes extra weight, and only a 17' boat..

[JR250SHO]

I guess its blue if you get it from lowes

http://www.lowes.com/pd_104590...Info=

[Wrkn4alivn]

Ahhh now I see.. Do you believe that would work better than a basket ball? I know how much force one can have when you try to hold one under in a pool lol.

[JR250SHO]

I went with foam because I could fill in the cavities better, your plate might be different. And yes I think it would also have more floatation. It just a math problem. Whatever can displace more water with the least amount of weight. If the ball technique work better for you maybe try a beach ball. It would conform the the rectagular shape better and be lighter.

[Wrkn4alivn]

My rapid jack is pretty open inside. I don't know how I could situate the foam to stay in there. I'll be going to Walmart this evening I will look at their ball selection and may pick one up. I'll be running the ole rig saturday so it would be a good time to test. Thanks for the help and thoughts bud!

[Stanford]

You can also use an exercise ball, I just used the bumpers because I thought they would be tougher and the ends would stick out of the holes in the rapid jack plate to help hold them in place.

[Ranger391v]

Beach ball ................... it gets into the cracks/pockets inside the JP easier.

[MrTotty]

I think a kick ball would work much better since it's much softer (like one you would like dodge ball with). Would conform to the shape very nicely.

[Wrkn4alivn]

Where would I find that at besides Walmart if they don't have it?

[Altro Cat]

Sports stores should have a kickball. Hibbetts, Dicks Sporting Goods, etc..

[CVX21]

I have an X21 with a 250 HPDI and I have used a cheap kid's ball in the jack plate for lift. It raised the back end a couple inches. It made a big difference in the amount of back wash that getting in the bilge.

The only problem with it is that you have to be careful not to over inflate it. The tighter the ball gets, the better the chance of the plate pinching and cutting a hole in the ball if you move the plate. I've had to replace the ball several times over the past couple seasons.

[JR250SHO]

Foam board doesn't pop.

[buddy_fuentes]

In the Louisiana Sportsman Magazine a few issues back there was a guy that had two soccer balls in his jack plate. He said that it made the boat float higher and stopped back wash. I don't know how he held them in place.

[chucktx]

what could you do if you dont have a jack plate?????
17' h51, 75 4 stroke honda