Hydraulic outboard brackets what's the go?

[Leglicker]

Can somebody give an opinion on a quality hydraulic bracket (electric remote) to mount a big L/S 4Stroke on? How much and where from? Are there any issues to consider? eg. are they easy to remove the motor from and if so how do you make it real hard?:-/

[Noelm]

no easier or harder to remove the Motor, not too sure why you would be concerned about that, but anyway, the advantages of an adjustable bracket is the ability to adjust Motor height for max performance as conditions change, some issues can be weight further back causes Boat trim dramas, some advantages can be the Motor is further back, so can be run higher in cleaner water, they would be available from most dealers that sell a lot of big Motors or do a lot of Ski type Boats, though I would reckon any Dealer could get them in.

[goldfish]

hi i think what you are after is a hydrolic jacking plate. these are used on high performance ski/race boats. they start around $1500 for a good second hand one & go up from there. the use of these are to adjust the hight of the outboard for max performance. you bolt your outboard to them the same as you would to the transom & if you use nylock nuts they arn't as easy to remove. if the removal is to prevent theft you can use s/s cable with swage's to lock the outboard on.
this is my understanding of what i think you are after.
cheers
rick

[Leglicker]

Thanks Noelm & Goldfish, I'm working in a grey zone. It's new technology down here in Tassie and might be elsewhere too! Noticed a boat builder in the States that makes longboats and all seem to be fitted with adjustable brackets/jacking plates on same design boat as mine. I get good lift as the boat is set up at the moment but I need to hang an extra 250kg on the transom area for extra fuel & weight of new motor (also need to run with an aft wet well full of crays and abalone as we stay out to catch quota). It is critical for this design to plane on the flat aft keel to run efficiently. Earlier on in the repower assesment I even considered a diesel powered jet for bar crossing and reef work as I intend to use in NQ in retirement and also potting and diving for crays& abs here but the thought of crossing a weedy bar or working around kelp with a jet is a potential nightmare.......so the concept of a hydraulic lift to enable shallow running and the right trim and motor depth to suit the conditions of sea and weight is what I need to achieve. I am concerned that rather than being able to bolt O/B to transom and conceal lower thread and nut under deck cavity that the bracket mount gives easy access for anybody that might fancy a new Honda. Going with the new technology is a dilemma for me because I like to keep it simple.....still like spark plugs, SOHC & straight drive! I want a brand new bracket that I don't have to worry about snapping off under the weight (existing transom is a veritable brick outhouse) that will also lift all the mechanicals out of the water when the boat is on a swing mooring. You guys out there no a *%# load about technology and the hydraulic bracket as applied in the States particularly to offset the inherent danger of low transom/outboard well IMO needs to be fully investigated here as an alternative to the existing "well mount & pod mentality". So thanks again Noelm and Goldfish,can we get advice from anyone who has used this technology???