or 
. See here. Listed under Hydraulic Power Lift, it described what they do.Jack Plates
Jack Plates
Has anybody installed either a hydraulic or manual jack plate on their or . See here. Listed under Hydraulic Power Lift, it described what they do.
or . See here. Listed under Hydraulic Power Lift, it described what they do.WHAT I SEE 36 VIEWS AND NO RESPONSES YET! With all the knowledge on this board, someone must have at least an opinion.
The reason why I asked about the jack plates is Bernie Bishop on the sailnet board just installed one on his
Bernie wrote "As stated below I installed my new 50hp Honda on a mechanical jack plate and I'm just breaking in the motor now, according to mfg recommendations. I'm very pleased with the boats performance when motoring. I have enough time on the motor to do a little planing and don't have any real data yet as I haven't installed the tachometer yet and I haven't checked speed with my gps. But, the boat gets on plane fast and today my wife and I took a ride on the river and drew quite a bit of attention from stink pot drivers who probably haven't seen a sailboat go so fast. What pleased me most is that once I had her on plane I was able to keep her there while cutting back the throttle to about 60-70%. The ride was a dream and my wife really enjoyed it. There were lots of wakes and crossing them at about a 25-30 degree amgle produced little reaction to my boat. Also, spray thrown by the boat was outward rather than upward -we felt no spray at all, I should mention the boat is practically empty of added material and even the cushions are not in place. I'll probably leave them out except for overnights.
I haven't adjusted the jack plate since it was installed -or I should say I haven't changed the original adjustment. The cavitation plate is at a slight upward angle toward the front of the boat at full down-tilt and is at an elevation of about one inch above the bottom of the transom. My wife made several comments regarding the boat (and the head) that makes me think we'll be doing some cruising together. And she asked some pertinent questions about the sink and cooking facilities which suggests I'll eat better than I would by myself. Maybe we'll take that trip down the Mississippi this summer.
I'll comment more on fuel consumption and speed when I get some figures.
One other comment -there is must less bending of motor control cables when tilting the motor up with the motor setting 5-6 inches above the transom and probably 4-5 inches to the rear, due to the jack plate."
Bernie Bishop
26XHomosassa FL
The reason why I asked about the jack plates is Bernie Bishop on the sailnet board just installed one on his
Bernie wrote "As stated below I installed my new 50hp Honda on a mechanical jack plate and I'm just breaking in the motor now, according to mfg recommendations. I'm very pleased with the boats performance when motoring. I have enough time on the motor to do a little planing and don't have any real data yet as I haven't installed the tachometer yet and I haven't checked speed with my gps. But, the boat gets on plane fast and today my wife and I took a ride on the river and drew quite a bit of attention from stink pot drivers who probably haven't seen a sailboat go so fast. What pleased me most is that once I had her on plane I was able to keep her there while cutting back the throttle to about 60-70%. The ride was a dream and my wife really enjoyed it. There were lots of wakes and crossing them at about a 25-30 degree amgle produced little reaction to my boat. Also, spray thrown by the boat was outward rather than upward -we felt no spray at all, I should mention the boat is practically empty of added material and even the cushions are not in place. I'll probably leave them out except for overnights.
I haven't adjusted the jack plate since it was installed -or I should say I haven't changed the original adjustment. The cavitation plate is at a slight upward angle toward the front of the boat at full down-tilt and is at an elevation of about one inch above the bottom of the transom. My wife made several comments regarding the boat (and the head) that makes me think we'll be doing some cruising together. And she asked some pertinent questions about the sink and cooking facilities which suggests I'll eat better than I would by myself. Maybe we'll take that trip down the Mississippi this summer.
I'll comment more on fuel consumption and speed when I get some figures.
One other comment -there is must less bending of motor control cables when tilting the motor up with the motor setting 5-6 inches above the transom and probably 4-5 inches to the rear, due to the jack plate."
Bernie Bishop
26XHomosassa FL
Per Cook Manufacturing
"The Power-Lift can improve the performance of virtually any type outboard. This unique outboard motor hydraulic lifting device works independently of your power trim and tilt to allow the boat-motor-prop combination to work at it's maximum efficiency. The Power-Lift gives you the ability to adjust your motor down, for better out of the hole shots or up for better top end speed, better fuel efficiency, and more prop clearance in shallow water. With the touch of a switch the Power-Lift makes it easy to find that optimum height for any condition while underway at full speed! Ideal for ski, bass, or work boats. In order for your outboard to perform at its full potential and efficiency, it should be adjusted to different heights at different speeds, water conditions and loads in your boat. The Power-Lift will set your motor back away from the transom 5 1/2 inches which allows the prop to run in "cleaner" water giving the prop a better "bite" and eliminating prop slippage. The system is made of 100% non-ferrous material which makes it impervious to saltwater and freshwater use. "
Jeff
"The Power-Lift can improve the performance of virtually any type outboard. This unique outboard motor hydraulic lifting device works independently of your power trim and tilt to allow the boat-motor-prop combination to work at it's maximum efficiency. The Power-Lift gives you the ability to adjust your motor down, for better out of the hole shots or up for better top end speed, better fuel efficiency, and more prop clearance in shallow water. With the touch of a switch the Power-Lift makes it easy to find that optimum height for any condition while underway at full speed! Ideal for ski, bass, or work boats. In order for your outboard to perform at its full potential and efficiency, it should be adjusted to different heights at different speeds, water conditions and loads in your boat. The Power-Lift will set your motor back away from the transom 5 1/2 inches which allows the prop to run in "cleaner" water giving the prop a better "bite" and eliminating prop slippage. The system is made of 100% non-ferrous material which makes it impervious to saltwater and freshwater use. "
Jeff
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Frank C
Jeff,
I didn't post this earlier, knowing that it could sound negative or critical. That's not my objective, just a reality of my perspective.
I have noted Bernard's postings about hie experiement over the past year or so. I chalked it up to individual enthusiasm, perhaps misguided. WADR. even the manufacturer hypes the benefits as applying in widely ranging operating conditions. As analogy, an 18-wheeler needs 21 different gears to address the wide range of operations, weight and speed. "Hole shots" are not an important element of my Mac's operating range, nor is optimized high-speed planing.
Therefore, for the way I use my boat the drawbacks to Bernard's device vastly exceed the benefits ... mainly cost, complexity and balance. I can't imagine any worse strategy for sailing performance than mounting my outboard another half-foot aft of the transom ... regardless of powering benefits. As mentioned early, I can only guess that Bernard's Mac emphasis is on the powerboating, but seems to me the Mac is a poor platform to begin those kinds of investments.
Just another "free" opinion - worth exactly what it costs!
I didn't post this earlier, knowing that it could sound negative or critical. That's not my objective, just a reality of my perspective.
I have noted Bernard's postings about hie experiement over the past year or so. I chalked it up to individual enthusiasm, perhaps misguided. WADR. even the manufacturer hypes the benefits as applying in widely ranging operating conditions. As analogy, an 18-wheeler needs 21 different gears to address the wide range of operations, weight and speed. "Hole shots" are not an important element of my Mac's operating range, nor is optimized high-speed planing.
Therefore, for the way I use my boat the drawbacks to Bernard's device vastly exceed the benefits ... mainly cost, complexity and balance. I can't imagine any worse strategy for sailing performance than mounting my outboard another half-foot aft of the transom ... regardless of powering benefits. As mentioned early, I can only guess that Bernard's Mac emphasis is on the powerboating, but seems to me the Mac is a poor platform to begin those kinds of investments.
Just another "free" opinion - worth exactly what it costs!
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Jeff S
- First Officer
- Posts: 371
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:13 pm
- Location: Cherry Point, NC 2000 26X Tohatsu 50
What surprises me about the quote is that Bernard installed this rather expensive device for increasing performance of his outboard yet does not have a tachometer, nor does he seem to have a device to measure speed other than his vestibular senses. A tach and the proper prop seem the logical starting point to evaluating performance and then some type of speed transducer or GPS.
I don't think that jack would be all that useful in the Mac for all the reasons Frank mentioned. Unless he is trying to pull a skier and needs a hole shot. In that case I would save the money and go with a bigger motor. I don't doubt that jack plate would help some with efficiency of motoring, but how much and at a significant cost. As Frank mentioned it surely would be a disadvantage for sailing to some degree.
Frank C
I don't think that jack would be all that useful in the Mac for all the reasons Frank mentioned. Unless he is trying to pull a skier and needs a hole shot. In that case I would save the money and go with a bigger motor. I don't doubt that jack plate would help some with efficiency of motoring, but how much and at a significant cost. As Frank mentioned it surely would be a disadvantage for sailing to some degree.
Frank C