Well I have a aluminum frame beavertail that was originally a 6.5 Honda with a 7x4 prop. I changed my motor to a 9 hp subaru and I'm gonna run an 8 x 4 backwaterinc prop .my problem is new prop hits the cav plate so I've gotta raise it up what I'm wondering is since I've got to redo it should I make a wider cav plate to cover the extra inch of prop while I'm at it ??? Any opinions welcome

If your going to have to move it order a backwater surface tracer cav plate. , you. .won't regret it.

H Finn

While those look nice I'm on a tight budget on this lil motor plus my frames aluminum

You could if you really wanted to but it should perform that same if you went through the trouble to make another... if you were gonna go up higher in hp it might be a concern but at this point you should be good to cut and reweld the original peice..

And she's got a new ass

How does it ride after the change? I've got an older mud buddy that i cant the tail down without digging deep due to the extreme angle of the factory cav plate even after bending the adjuster plate and killing speed. I know from reading up my plate is supposed to be around and inch from the tip of the prop, mine currently is 3-4 inches above it for some reason. I've even changed the transom height from 16 to 21 to get the plate higher up and flatter but still runs 5" below the hull. I'm contemplating cutting off my old plate and changing the angle or just purchasing the backwater one.

I've tried the bolt on extension that came with the motor. Messed with it for hours before changing the transom height. If I bend it down, it wont let the prop stay in the water and i'm fighting it. Bending it up kept it submerged but really deep and I loose 3mph and the boat bows up. Also, motor is front heavy and the weight of the engine causes it to tilt toward the boat and prop out of the water.... not sure if that has anything to do with it. i've noticed the Backwater Swamp's engines mount right over the transom, mine is almost a foot forward. I dont have many pics of it but attached is one u can see how far forward the motor is. Boat is a 1438 btw.

I have a 29 mud buddy lt, the motor does sit forward bud, my tail does fall down, not up in the air. Keep in mind, it's on a go-devil hull that's built for long tails. Mud buddy and go devil frames are mounted about the sameImageUploadedByTapatalk1418252648.111993.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1418252679.080204.jpg


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Many companys make frames to accommodate the 20" transom, however it is done by lengthening the shaft and frame to correct for the angle change going from 16" transom to 20"... You will have trouble with getting this motor to truely perform on the transom it sits on now just because the angle is too steep at 20".... The leaning shouldnt be an issue, like said before; if this is the motor youre set on, cut down your transom down and add a trim tab if needed... Good Luck!

-BTW how far are you bending the tab? You should be bending it an 1/8" up or down at a time

Ive honestly never had any first hand experience with the backwater products besides the props, However with all of the good reviews and seeing how the frames are built I wouldnt hesitate to order something from them... I do know however that what you have now should work, The cavitation should be about 1/2" from the leading edge of a new prop is that helps your plate angle issues... I think your big issue is the transom height

ok good to know. I have to run deep water for miles before getting to shallow areas, sometimes close to an hour run loaded down, so ease of handling is a must for me.