Gear

Photos: Add a jackplate to your aluminum rig

Add a jackplate to get the most from your bass fishing rig.

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Here's what we're working with, a 2013 Triton X18 aluminum boat with a 115-horse Mercury Optimax ProXS. If you're at all uncomfortable with any of the following steps, do yourself a favor and let a pro do it. Labor is cheaper than dropping your motor on the pavement, potentially breaking it and your foot, and then having a pro do it anyway.
Here’s what we’re working with, a 2013 Triton X18 aluminum boat with a 115-horse Mercury Optimax ProXS. If you’re at all uncomfortable with any of the following steps, do yourself a favor and let a pro do it. Labor is cheaper than dropping your motor on the pavement, potentially breaking it and your foot, and then having a pro do it anyway.
<p>As the boat came from the factory, the motor is bolted directly to the transom.</p> <p>*NOTE: Before you add any aftermarket accessory to your boat or motor, thoroughly read the terms of your warranty. Adding such accessories may void your warranty.</p>
As the boat came from the factory, the motor is bolted directly to the transom.
*NOTE: Before you add any aftermarket accessory to your boat or motor, thoroughly read the terms of your warranty. Adding such accessories may void your warranty.
The first step is to remove the cowling.
The first step is to remove the cowling.
There are several ways to lift an outboard off of a transom, but having an engine hoist and tow strap on hand made our choice easy. Here's where we lifted from.
There are several ways to lift an outboard off of a transom, but having an engine hoist and tow strap on hand made our choice easy. Here’s where we lifted from.
Thread the tow strap underneath and reattach.
Thread the tow strap underneath and reattach.
Once you're certain you've got your strap on good, put a little bit of upward tension on the motor so that when you undo the bolts, the motor doesn't drop unexpectedly. Paul Moody, at the hoist, was the brains of this operation.
Once you’re certain you’ve got your strap on good, put a little bit of upward tension on the motor so that when you undo the bolts, the motor doesn’t drop unexpectedly. Paul Moody, at the hoist, was the brains of this operation.
Now you can begin loosening bolts.
Now you can begin loosening bolts.
Moody, left, goes to work with an impact gun while <i>Bassmaster </i>Magazine Editor James Hall, right, uses hand tools.
Moody, left, goes to work with an impact gun while Bassmaster Magazine Editor James Hall, right, uses hand tools.
Once all the bolts are loose, wheel the motor away from the transom, being careful not to stretch the fuel or hydraulic lines too far.
Once all the bolts are loose, wheel the motor away from the transom, being careful not to stretch the fuel or hydraulic lines too far.
Mate the jackplate to the transom.
Mate the jackplate to the transom.
With the plate as high as it will go, Moody begins tightening the bottom-most bolts. Be sure to use stainless steel hardware all around for years of corrosion resistance.
With the plate as high as it will go, Moody begins tightening the bottom-most bolts. Be sure to use stainless steel hardware all around for years of corrosion resistance.
Here, Moody torques the bolts to the appropriate amount.
Here, Moody torques the bolts to the appropriate amount.
After about an hour of work, cutting up and a trip to Tractor Supply Co., the Merc is mounted to the Z-Lock.
After about an hour of work, cutting up and a trip to Tractor Supply Co., the Merc is mounted to the Z-Lock.
We decided to pick the motor up 1 inch in an attempt to alleviate a minor case of porpoising. It did ultimately fix the problem. The boat also regained a hole shot and picked up several miles per hour on the top end. Performance results will be detailed in the third and final installment of this series.
We decided to pick the motor up 1 inch in an attempt to alleviate a minor case of porpoising. It did ultimately fix the problem. The boat also regained a hole shot and picked up several miles per hour on the top end. Performance results will be detailed in the third and final installment of this series.
In the final installment, we'll do some tinkering around on the business end of the Merc, the prop. There is lots to be gained by experimenting with different pitches.
In the final installment, we’ll do some tinkering around on the business end of the Merc, the prop. There is lots to be gained by experimenting with different pitches.

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