New boat owner

Hi,
Just picked up my first boat this past fall. It's a 14'4" Sylvan Super Snapper with a nice electric start 15hp Honda 4 Stroke, entire package is in pretty good shape. I have a few things I would like to do to the boat incl. new wiring, trailer coupler, trailer wiring.

I do have a question - the previous owner had a small block of wood that the motor was mounted on. The Honda is a LS and the transom height is approx 20.4". Would you replace it with something like a jack plate?, or is it safe to leave it as is?

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/1...198e1e6d_z.jpg

I have the same motor and similar boat (Sea Snapper). I think the only reason he did it was to rise the motor but you do not need it. The manual does not recommend it.

Does the boat require a short shaft motor in the specs? If not,then the prev owner may have put the block in to stop the boat from "porpoising" if the Honda shaft isn't quite a good fit. It happens,sometimes. You can always take it off and run without it until you see how it handles.

We've had a block of wood like that on the tinny at the family cottage for at least 15 years. No harm no foul, just raised the old Johnston up a touch is all. I would leave it be, just make sure you have a chain or cable from your outboard to the boat if its not through bolted. Nice rig!

I would try the boat and see if it runs ok, if so, bolt the motor on and forget about it,

a lot harder to steal moter if bolted on

I was surprise when they mounted our Yamaha 150 on our 22ft Pontoon. remove the block of wood and retake the picture and that is how ours is mounted...not even on the hook plate thing.

Might want to call the previous owner and ask why he set it up that way, could save you some leg work?

If memory serves me correct a short shaft is 15" and a long shaft is 20". Check the owner's manual if you have it. I think the cavatation plate is supposed slightly below the bottom of your hull. I doubt the wood is required unless there are issues with the transom.

Roe+