There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height.

How to set outboard motor height. An electrohydraulic jack plate adjusts the motor height with a switch and can be done while underway. Find a straight edge that is around 8 to 10 long. Remember you need to find the best motor height for a given set back.

Trim your outboard down and into the proper position. Each hole represents a 34-inch change in elevation. Also the amount of set back provided by a jack plate further increase the overall height that you can jack your motor up.

The transom height needs to suit the outboard and ensure that the. This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom top of the aluminum plate on top of the transom to the bottom of the motor brackets. To avoid these problems you need to figure out the proper outboard motor height.

If the propeller fails to ventilate the motor is mounted to low. Well before you go drilling holes be aware that two inches MAY be too high and cause ventilation. Too line up a twin engine setup the best way is to get planing straight on flat water with the engines at equal rpms and then disconnect the steering link from the slave engine.

A manual jack plate adjusts the motor height with wrenches. Do the prop tests as described above and record the data so you can compare it with other props. Do not proceed to step 2 until youve done this.

Many are set too deep which greatly compromises performance. By taking as much of the lower unit out of the water as possible you reduce the amount of drag and therefore increase speed. One of the factors in determining the height of the outboard is the placement of the exhaust port on the lower unit of the outboard engine.