150 Intruder / jackplate

[StratosDadRI]

I'm planning on putting a 6" plate on my stratos 278 and 150 hp. My local boat dealer suggests a 1/4" + aluminum plate between the motor and jackplate. Seems to be a issue with broken motor mounts and this may help.. Any input??

[brianalan]

I have never heard of placing a plate between the motor and jackplate. I don't think that would do/help anything since there is already sufficient area for the two to meet and bolt together.

[Buccaneer]

Huh? Not sure I follow that rationale. If the 1/4" plate is between the motor and jackplate, how does this prevent "broken motor mounts"? The jackplate will be aluminum and the mating surface is essentially dead flat. I have only seen wedge plates used when additional tilt angle was required due to excessive jack plate length. But 6" on a Stratos is a normal application and they don't come from the factory with an additional aluminum plate.
I think you need a new dealer that understands bass boats.
Buccaneer

[StratosDadRI]

I too cant fathom this, But he insist that the Stratos with that engine had a issue with broken motor mounts. He also highly suggested a 1 piece JP which I can agree must be stronger than just the 2 side rails. All i can think of is that the JP when it flexes opens or closes the distance across the bolts and this may cause the motor mounts to crack the aluminum spacer 15" X 16' with properly drilled exact size holes would prevent this flexing????

[Buccaneer]

Well, I guess if his experience is with stamped sheet metal jack plates I guess he would need a stiffener plate. If I were you I would go with Slidemaster, CMC, Bob's or some other known brand. I think the problem of "flexing" is largely imagined. I would be willing to bet that my 6" Slidemaster on my 285 ProXL/150 Johnson doesn't "flex" at all. If you look at the material on these and CMC's unit its hard to imagine that any sort of flex is possible. These things are designed to be a fulcrum and support the engine thrust of much more than a 150 outboard.
I guess I am still amazed at that rationale. Like I said, get another dealer involved. Go to the Steups board and ask Todd at C&O, better yet call him. He might need a good laugh today.
Buccaneer

[toddandy]

Ok....I'll try to see if I can word this,so the guru's don't laugh their axxes off.

I just had a Rapid Jack put on my boat....with an OMC motor,you need these 2 braces installed across the motor mounting bolts...this I understand is to assist with the tilt&trim system on these motors.....when you get a plate,you'll get the braces with it if you tell the dealer it's for an OMC motor.

OK...Rusty,Fred and Seahorse...commense laughing

[StratosDadRI]

I'm planning on going with a TH marine Hijacker Pro the 3/8" not the HP and I will be putting the Transon saver across the top 2 bolts. I will go over to the Stratos board Thanks, At first I thought it was a Stratos transom problem then I had it explained to me as a JP to Evinrude Intruder/FS issue.

[DR Stratos]

Post up what kind of numbers you get with that. I have the same setup, minus JP. Just would be curious to see how fast it will go.

[StratosDadRI]

Right now witha 23 renegade easy to drive 5700@60mph speedo clocked with GPS, witha 24 raker 63 Mph 5500 rpm not easy to drive!!! meduim load 2 people at all times. 1 person 24 raker does 5650 and a little more and more difficult to drive..

[Buccaneer]

Dad - What is your height setting currently without the JP? Regardless of whatever the final deal is on the stiffener plate, you will find the 6" JP to be a substantial improvement in driveability and performance. This is a must have item. My Stratos 285 ProXL with 150 Johnson Carb turns 5500 with the 24" Raker and 62 GPS. I am right at 3" propshaft center under the pad. The JP gives you great final tweaking adjustments, you will love it.
PS - Don't hit an iceberg up their in RI!

[StratosDadRI]

I will need to get back to you on the hight I know it not on the highest bolt holes. but right now it's somewhere between the bottom of the snow drift and the large ice ikkle... if this helps.. Tomorrow 60-65 in Little Rhody so I may be able to measure it... Thanks

[STRATOS278DC]

Please let me know also, as i have the same set up, a 1996 stratos 278dc

[StratosDadRI]

Ok I picked up the JP today and talked with the person who recommended the aluminum plate. It is to go between the JP and Motor. He has always recommended them for the fast strike and intruders due to the cracking of these. I was looking at different JP manufacturers and was thinking of a Vance many of thier products look like a twin of TH Marine??? well here is the link to the plate I'm having a friend make one out of 5/16" aliminum.

http://vancemfg.com/catalog3.html scroll to the bottom..

As a note all the Intruders and FastStrikes are equipped with a much harder motor mounts than regular Johnson and Evinrude's 150 HP

[t-bone]

My 5.5"CMC hyd. JP does not have a spacer plate. No problems yet.

[ChampioNman]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StratosDadRI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
As a note all the Intruders and FastStrikes are equipped with a much harder motor mounts than regular Johnson and Evinrude's 150 HP</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmm news to me, after all these years of hanging motors the Stratos will be fine with a transom saver and the plate. I'm not real crazy on their style and adjustment but it is your $$ and choice. I really like the Rapid Jack plates a quality product, easy to adjust and install and the people there are great to deal with. I've re-fitted a bunch of Stratos/Javelins/ Hydrosports to the RJ plates from the T&H and have had great luck with ease of adjustment and quaility. I recommend them and I have no connection with them just my preference and suggestion.