KEEP THE STERN-JACK OR NOT?

[chrisG]

HI GUYS, I WAS LOOKING FOR SOME ADVICE FOR MY WINTER PROJECT. I AM ADDING FULL HYDRAULIC STEERING AND A HD GIMBAL RING TO MY 97 253. IT HAS A PROCHARGED 454 MAG WITH HEADERS, MSD , INTAKE, ETC.. I AM ALSO RUNNING A LAND & SEA STERN JACK. IMCO HAS A STEERING RAM KIT FOR THE STERN JACK BUT I AM WONDERING IF I SHOULD KEEP IT BEFORE MY FINAL PURCHASE OF THE HYDRAULIC RAMS. IF I GET RID OF THE STERN JACK DOWN THE ROAD I WILL HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER SET OF STEERING RAMS BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT LENGTHS AND REDRILL NEW MOUNTING HOLES IN THE TRANSOM! THE STERN JACK HAS BEEN A GOOD ADD ON FOR HANDLING AND A LITTLE EXTRA SPEED(3 MPH) AND I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. I DON'T PLAN ON OTHER MODS BESIDES SOME EDELBROCK HEADS FOR THE INCONEL VALVES. L & S SAID IT WOULD HANDLE ANYTHING THE BRAVO DRIVE COULD FOR HP. HAS ANYONE HAD ANY EXPERIENCE (GOOD OR BAD) WITH THE STERN JACKS? THANKS.

 

[Chris E]

my 2 cents - those things are dangerous - merc never designed the gimbel ring for the extra length which could lead to premature failure (even worse it could happen at speed). i'd take the thing off and pitch it. i had a few customers want those things installed at a marina i worked at - my boss would never do it. too much liability for our liking. there are other ways to increase speed without risking the driver and passangers.

 

[boatboy01]

If you decide to pitch it, pitch it my way! please! boatman haha my son for got to sign out! boatman

 

[Viper 1]

keep it

Chris G its work's good for you and has not caused you a problem and you have your motor built up more than most....land and sea has never any built junk that i know of and sold it to the public without lots of testing first before putting out to the public.....if they had a problem of any kind with the unit you have they would of fixed it and they would not still be making it and selling it. because one person does not like it does not mean its no good......it just means they don't want to sell it and install it......i have sold and used many land and sea products without ever having a problem with anything i ever sold to my customers or used for my own checkmate's from land and sea......have fun and enjoy your checkmate Viper

 

[Redboat]

Make sure you post the sale here first . I'm sure you'll sell it . I am also interested .
Redboat

 

[Chris E]

talk to your local merc dealer there is an actual bulletin on stern jacks in particular i think it was around 1999-2000.

 

[boatman4021]

Merc. also tells you to use only merc. oil and filters. I can show you 2 boats that have been running for close to 20 years with land and sea stern jacks and never had a problem. 1 of them spends more time at w.o.t. than it does sitting still! keep it! Or let me have it! boatman

 

[Costa]

Testing

The Land and Sea Stern jacks were initially tested on a 1986 Checkmate Eluder open bow. When I spoke to them about it 10 or so years ago they got the best speed increase numbers from testing on Checkmates. All Mates like setback and essentially that is what the Stern Jack does.

 

[Big Dave]

I wish I could put one on the Diplomat, I know it needs the set back with the 350 in the back. They quit building it for the alpha some time ago probably due to the gimble failure. on their web site, they do reccomend the hd gimble for the bravo.