Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

Recently bought a 37 Midnight Express with triple optimaxes. The bracket was originally built for quads and is in excellent shape. It however is only 24 inches deep and I can't trim the engines all the way out of the water while moored.

I was aslo told I may see better performance with cleaner water.

I am purchasing jack plates and wanted some feedback on what set back I should go with. (6,8,10 or12)

The engines are mounted high and I am going with 4 blade bravo ones.

Any suggestions?

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

Talk to Stainless Marine. They build a one piece that is awesome. I first saw it on a "Deep Impact" with tripple 300X's at the Miami boat show. Definitely the way to go. They can do the math for you on the setback too. I have a 6" setback on my 300's on my 25 but I forget the setback on my bracket. Made about a 2 mph improvement on my boat because I am running Choppers and am able to get them out of the water a little more while still keeping my bow up. Can't go up all the way though because then it drops the bow. Work with a reputable company (Like Stainless Marine) that is willing to work with you on the setup.

Good luck...

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

A member on here recommended i go with the "porta jack". He raced the "spolied banana" and had a v-8 johnson hanging of of one.so they must be tough.his name on here is Mrv8outboard. I think maybe even "airdog " might of had one on his v-8 banana. hopefully one of them will reply. I think porta -jack has a website too

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

Thanks for the info.

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

I'm also partial to Stainless Marine especially for your application.

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

Picts of my midnight :D :D :D

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

Yes Airdog bought the "Spoiled Banana" from Mrv8outboard. And yes he used a Portajack on his other Banana with a V8 as well. Porta doae have a website www.portaproducts.com

Their prices look steep but I think once you do the math of adding up all the jackplates and a bracket there are pretty competitive. Plus you get more travel out of there setup. Hope it helps.

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

The Midnight is an 1987 with 1999 Engines bought new in 2001 with upgrades and 6 year warranties. Boat usedto be an ex-smuggler, it had quad 200's. Bought it from a guy in New Jersey who has owned it for 15 years. The entire package is awesome, I couldn't be happier ( well maybe with one more engine I'll be a little happier) :cool:

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

Nice looking Midnight Express!

Is it just me or do all center console boats look better with a T-Top or powder coated Radar Arch (as commonly seen on Concept CC's)?

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

Awesome looking rig!

Put jackplates on your existing bracket should work well IMO.
I put a 24" bracket on mine and have the same problem. Thought about the jack plates but would have to re-rig the untire setup due to cables & wiring being too short to push engines back anymore. I'm going to wait until I'm ready to repower and just get a 36" bracket & hyd jackplates.
I have a B Bracket works well except for leaky access plates.

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

Thanks for the positive comments, I'ts funny you should mention about tops on CC's, I'm actually redoing the boat and removed old top. I'm having a black powder coated radar arch with a full top made to include blacked out open array ant, riggers antennas etc... Boat is getting painted a custom Awlgrip dark blue.

I 've decided to go with 6" plates the industry norm seems to be around 30". I 'm moving the console forward 2 feet so I have rewiring to do anyway.

If you look at the side shot you'll notice that the console is way way back. I have about 4 foot of space behind leaning post ( which is also going to be replaced with wraparound bolsters and a tackle station not enough room for trolling the canyons) and redoing the rigging to include placing the batteries forward and the oil containers to the rear with fills in the deck.

Standby by for picts next Spring !!!!!

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

Good luck with your project.

Here is my porta jack.

Love it.

I can jack the engine so high underway that my engine comes out of the water and I loose control... :eek: :eek: :D

Combined with the engine trim, I can tilt the power head inside the cockpit which is great if you have a mechanical problem, which unfortuneatly I did everytime I went out this summer.

Hydraulic bracket worked flawlessly though.

I thought a fiberglass bracket would look better, but after installing it, the scissor jack is very cool looking.

I would recommend a swim platform regardless of whatever bracket you go with.

:drink:

Here are two more.

Only a few jack plates can handle a V8 outboard. Porta Jack is one of them.

Only downside it the two hydraulic lines that run out of the pistion to the pump, but I think a through hull set up is possible.

Last two.

Happy Thanksgiving... :chick:

Re: Outboard Brackets and Jack plates
 

Thanks for the info and picts. I've decided to go with 6" plates for now. I did check out the web site.

Definetly a cool ride. Reminds me a little of an older 22 velocity I used to have with an O/B.

Have a great Thanksgiving

i would go with porta products...

I like Detwiler....they do a great job with V-8's also!!

The amount of setback is determined by the boats balance when running. If you need more bow lift and always have alot of postive trim, you would add more setback. That is why they make all the different sizes in setback, so you can balance out your ride.
You mentioned moving the console forward, which meens the balance moves forward. If you liked the current attitude of the ride, now you have to shift something back to get balance back again.