Questions about adding a jackplate

[Wookie]

I will be adding a 6" jackplate to my Javelin 389SDC soon. I have a few questions about the process. Of course I will need to check all the hoses and cables for length and make sure they don't bind. I know that I will use a bunch of sealant on the holes. I plan on getting all new grade 8 stainless bolts with mechanical locking nuts and washers.

Now for the questions. I am thinking about making a set of doublers for the transom. I will be using 1/4" or 3/8" steel or aluminum to go between the motor mounts and hull. I will also add doublers to the inside area under the nuts. The purpose of this is to spread the load out across a larger area on the hull. Is there any reason that this would be a bad idea?

My other question is about removing the motor. What is the best way to do this. I figure a cherry picker or engine hoist will be more than enough but where is the best place to attach the chains to the outboard?

Is there anything else that I am missing?

[Javelin389]

I don't think the plates would hurt the transom. Not exactly sure if it's necessary though as long as you're using big washers under the bolt heads. As for lifting the engine, that motor should have 2 slotted brackets that you can attach lifting hooks to, or bolt a link of chain to it. The engine hoist/cherry picker is plenty to lift that motor.

[Wookie]

I think I know the brackets you are talking about. Are they cast into the top of the motor?

[Javelin389]

Yes, I believe they are.

[Doormaster]

I added a 6" with 6" setback jackplate on my Javelin 367. I used a cherry picker type engine lift and it worked great. One problem I had was the steering cable came in at to tight of an angle and bound up the steering. To fix this we drilled a new hole in the splashwell, put a boot on it and ran the steering cable in that I was not planning on drilling a new hole in my boat but it came out ok.