30" Motors on Jack Plates?

[fellinger]

Are any of you running 30" motors on a 5" step plate, particularly on an older 272 Sailfish? I am entertaining getting newer to me motors but, the best pair I have found are 30". I have been told I can install a 5" step jack plate and it would work. Does anyone have firsthand knowledge?

Thanks!

 

[Harpoon]

I've seen this done on a Marlin that I was looking at. It worked OK, but the engines damage the inner edge of the transom when they are at full tilt. I suspect it may be similar for the 272.

 

[fellinger]

Thanks. What kind of damage? Do you mean on the lip of the transom where the aluminum cap is? Did the motors come out of the water like normal or did the skeg sit in the water?

 

[glacierbaze]

Water rises as it leaves the transom, so typically, bracketed or jacked motors are set higher. You are going the wrong direction, IMHO.

 

[Harpoon]

When the motors were tilted completely, I think it was the hydraulic steering that damaged the inside of the transom. This was one of the more important reasons I didn't buy the boat. I would have re fitted the shafts to 25" and repaired the glass and remounted the motors properly. Its not a super big deal to change a
30 to a 25.