Topic: Jack Plate off level

This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 11 months ago by CB_SabreFTD18.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

Author

Posts
July 3, 2023 at 6:09 am #714435

sondog
Participant

I have an 04 cougar ftd started noticing that the motor didn’t look level while fishing last week. Got home and seen the th marine jackplate had slipped down on port side looks like about 1/8 inch as a result it is causing the plate that the motor is mounted to to twist slightly when raising and lowering the jack plate. The bolts were not as tight as I would like. I jacked that side of the plate back up and retightened the bolts. This took out the play for 1 trip no I’m back to the same if not worse. What’s the soulution.

July 3, 2023 at 6:46 am #714436

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Without getting very in depth, it’s quite possible the plate is square on the bolt holes and engine frame. Back in that era we had a few plates that were square, though appeared to be off by 1/4”.

At that time it took a lot of convincing to get those addressed, as they were square and the builder had a hard time understanding why it mattered. This is why it mattered, we had people trying to figure out how to lower one side of the plate, when that little bit wouldn’t matter one bit any way. It just leaves a visual impression that the plate appears crooked.

Your boat is definitely in that era and odds are everything is fine.

Even if it is not square, 1/8” is not noticeable on handling differences.

BCB

July 13, 2023 at 5:42 am #714946

CB_SabreFTD18
Participant

I’ll ad to it. Both Cats I’ve owned had/have slightly “UN” square plates to the eye. My current ‘18 Sabre looks closer to square than my ‘09 was. With both, when I adjust plate up or down, I always squat down and lift/wiggle up holding cav plate on engine after I get the engine height I’m after. It levels engine every time confirmed by placing a level on top of cowling. On both boats, the port side of inner plate is/was slightly higher, but the motor still sits level.

Don’t torque those bolts too much. Might want to spray some lube or put grease on them. My 2 lower bolts are starting to seize. I think I could break off the head of the port side bolt with a torque wrench & socket now. Either stripping or rust I’m guessing. The 2 lower bolts that sit below water line while fishing are my issue.
Author

Posts

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login Register