I was going to put twins Loopers on but I got a good deal on a 92 V8, Fresh water use. It has a 20" shaft so I'll go with a Hydr. jackplate, maybe mounted off a swim platform. I believe the new SOBs use about an 18" set back (?) and I was wondering what speed I'll see propped for about 6200 rpms. I would think that from what I've read, AirDog got about 75 mph with a modified V8, that I could see about 71 MPH?

Any suggestions?

Oh, with the set back I will close the transom, aka sundeck time!

I'm thinking that since I'm going to paint the boat I should go all the way with, make the sun deck and have the added room. I've already moved the rear seat back.

airdog told me that he had a 17" set back and ran a protabracket http://www.portaproducts.com. I was thinking of trying one of these next season.

instead of closing the motor well try bobs machine shop 12 inch hydraulic lift plus 2 inch set back or cmc 10 inch plus 2inch spacer if you close the motor you limit your options after it is rigged the way you want it you can always make your sun deck around the motor s

remember you have to be able to tilt the motor up aclosed transom will make you decide on set back

Yea I know if I close the tramson I'll have to go with about a 18" set back, which I believe the newer boats have? I am looking into getting a swim platform built and using about a 4" hydr. jackplate for a total of about 18". I can get one made, E-Bay has them with free shipping, for about $1,100. I'll check with AirDog to see if I can close, be able to tilt the motor, the tramson with a 18" set back. The full tramson swim platform will be eassier on the tramson also as I assume it will balance the stress better?

Thet look like great brackets, up to 24" of lift. I'm thinking they would allow closing the motor well as well as doing away with the need for those planning tabs, sorry I don't remember what they are called! I think the brackets run about $1,800 but it may be worth it?

INXS2, If you need a gas tank, I have a 55 gal. alum in my garage. Used it twice...$400.00 Michael "HIGH LIFE"

As far as I know mine should be OK as the boat was back at the factory about two yrs ago to get some work done on the transom, if I recall. I'll check into it though as if I'm going to do that type of change now wopuld be the time.
I assume it's for the main, back, tank and is the same as what's in mine now?

INXS2, this tank is the same size that is under cockpit floor,55 gal. I put it forward of the cabin bulkhead in the walk area in the cabin, to carry 110 gal, and emptied it first. "HIGH LIFE"

Bayhouse Bob has a good point about tilting, but I found that once I went 17" back, I did not need the well anymore.

When I traveled with the boat on the trailer, I would just jack it straight up with the porta jack and not even tilt it in.

I have pictures of this, but my membership ran out and won't let me post pics.

If you got the money, then go with the porta jack with the swim platform and close in the transom.

If your on a tight budget, then just put any jack plate on the back so you can get vertical lift and leave the motor well as is.

To answer your question, yes, closing in the transom adds strength, especially if you put in curved transom knees.