Rapid Jack

[SNUFFY]

Found out a while ago that the manufacturers of Rapid JackPlates recommending that 3.0 liter engines need 1/2 in plates. I just put a new Merc 3.0 liter on my `94 20 XD Bullet that has the 3/8" Rapid Jack. Mine is old enough that both angles are 3/8" ...apparently some came with 1/2" on the transom side ...3/8" on engine side. They are recommending changing these out to 1/2 ". I believe the cost is around 80$ for the engine side plates. I haven`t priced a whole new 1/2" set-up for mine yet...but will soon. My old Johnson 225 was a 3.0 liter but it weighed 50# less than my new XS....but then again it didn`t have juice this XS has either. Dealing with metals for a living...I know Angle is incredibly strong..especially the way these plates are engineered...my biggest worry is the bolts in the slide. I would think that they are the weak point.</p>

Anybody got a 10-12" Rapid jack with the 1/2" stuff they like to sell or trade for a 3/8" 10" Rapid Jack????</p>

 

[bass15]

I have read the same thing as well. I have read a few horror stories of the bolts breaking.Good luck on finding the side plates

 

[SNUFFY]

I called the Hyrodynamics guy and he confirmed what I`d heard. When my `94 bullet was set-up originally it had 175 Fastrike Johnson on it and I guess the 3/8" set-up was big enough. Of course in `94 a 225 was about as big bassboat engine was available. Unless you had one of those 2.4,2.6,2.8 Mercury blow up specials!!
Anyway he said the Magnum was about 390$ in 12" set back just a little less for 10". Also make a Hi-Rise for above pad set-up. Another plus is a larger footprint on the Transom.
I`m going over and talk to Tom at Bullet about the added 2"...the extra leverage on the transom. I`m running 75 GPS with full tank ,live well and 550 # of men at 5400 and still on 0 trim.so I don`t need any bow lift but the cleaner water might be an advantage.
Most Bullets come with at least 14" jacks now but I don`t know if they added any beef to the newer boats to compensate. I`ll find out.