Sailing steering linkage with hydraulic steering, 10” setback jackplate

[Sheppie62]

I installed a 10’ setback jackplate to give larger 75hp motor room to tilt forward, make room on rear deck, increase efficiency/ gas mileage, and have ability to lift motor up in shallow waters. I made a connecting rod that steered the sailing rudders (second, instead of sailing rudders first). I was able to make rudders align with motor down, but couldn’t get linkage to tilt without hitting stuff and steering to right wouldn’t turn all the way. I toyed with the idea of moving the sail rudder connection point backwards, but still didn’t solve all the issues. So I came up with this linkage with Teflon bushings that seems to solve all the steering problems. Yes it seems overly complicated, but it allowed me to reverse the tie rod for rear deck space, I will move hydraulic steering lines to opening that motor controls use, making entire rear deck usable (gas tank/ deck combo?). I was thinking I was a bit crazy while making it, but it works!

[Jimmyt]

Impressive work! I'd need to see a video of it to fully grasp how it works, but I can see the basic idea. Well done!

[Sheppie62]

""

[kurz]

really impressive!!!!!!

[Jimmyt]

Video link above...

Thanks! Even better than I imagined from the stills. Lots of versatility available in that setup!

[chipveres]

+1 for very impressive.
Chip V.

[C Buchs]

I've got an eTec 90 and a 10" fixed jack plate. When I saw your pictures, I was agreeing that your solution looked complicated. However, when I saw your video and discovered your adjustable jack plate, I realized that you've done it right. I love your solution!

Jeff

[Sheppie62]

“I've got an eTec 90 and a 10" fixed jack plate”. From Sheppie62: The other option I thought of was to reverse the tie rod and weld an extension to the right as close to right rudder pivot as possible (allowing for rod clearance when turning left) which would make the connection rod as close to perpendicular with the motor steering connection. The lift jack further complicates the issues as steering goes out of alignment, but really only matters that rudders and motor align when motor and rudders are down. However I was concerned one would limit the other at full turn when motor was lifted, tilted or both.

[Sheppie62]

I've got an eTec 90 and a 10" fixed jack plate. When I saw your pictures, I was agreeing that your solution looked complicated. However, when I saw your video and discovered your adjustable jack plate, I realized that you've done it right. I love your solution!

Jeff

Jeff what height did you end up running your motor at?

[C Buchs]

I've got the cavitation plate about even with the bottom. I plan to do some messing with it, but boating got in the way of messing with it. I'd love to know where I should have it. Suggestions?

Jeff

[Sheppie62]

I've got the cavitation plate about even with the bottom. I plan to do some messing with it, but boating got in the way of messing with it. I'd love to know where I should have it. Suggestions?

Jeff

Jeff, sorry it took so long for me to get back to you. I have my motor height set with the cavitation plate even with the bottom with lift jack fully down. I was able to raise jack plate up a bit and get entire cavitation plate above water, but didn’t seem to help much, but this was with a full load and water ballast in. My water ballast valve handle broke off so I wasn’t able to run it with an empty ballast tank. I suspect raising the motor without the ballast will help. Any tilt/trim adjustments up didn’t help any either. I have no wedges installed. But full down tilt worked ok. But with ballast tanks empty may need wedges. I suspect prop selection would make a difference as well, mine is a huge 3 blade pontoon boat type.

[Jimmyt]

So how did the steering work?

[Sheppie62]

It worked almost perfect. One of the lower shaft collars on the tie rod caught on top of the setback plate a little with the motor in full tilt with lift jack down. A little grinding will solve that easy enough, or a Teflon slider on top of the setback plate. I got full steering both directions with motor and sailing rudders, lift jack up or down. With keel down it can turn around very quickly with little effort. My wife can steer it now, she couldn’t with the old cable setup. I think it’s a success, if it could be made simpler with less fabrication then it would be even better. Like finding something similar and using that as a starting point.

[OverEasy]

Hi Sheppie62!!!

!!!!WOW!!!!
!!!!SUPER IMPRESSED!!!!

What you accomplished is REALLY GREAT!!!

There are a lot of experienced Mechanical Engineers who are going to be SERIOUSLY ENVIOUS!!!

I’m one of them!!!

What you pulled together is a really really neat accomplishment. Seriously, I’m very impressed!!!

This is really good!!!
You’ve combined a lot in a very elegantly simple functional system that works perfectly:

A 10” aft offset
A hydraulic steering system
A combined link Sail Rudder/Motor system
A hydraulic Jack plate system
Steering with hydraulic motor tilt in the down position
Steering with hydraulic motor tilt in the up position
Steering with the Hydraulic Jack plate in full range of travel
And you did it on a MacGregor!!!

!!!This is seriously impressive!!!

Congratulations!!!
You definitely have bragging rights!!!

Well Done!!!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[OverEasy]

Hi Sheppie62!

Just wondering if you have noticed if your steering while motoring has changed since you implemented your Jack plate stand-off engine mount?

Some chatter we’ve read seems to indicate that by moving the pivot point aft can have a benefit in tighter turning radius…

What has been your experience?

Best Regards,
Over Easy