Dometic demystifies the jackplate
Innovative marine products by Dometic: The Dometic SeaStar Jackplate
Visiting Australia for the 2023 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
“It’s so wonderful to be back travelling to visit our Asia-Pacific (APAC) team,” said Laurie, who is based in Illinois, US. “This show has all the elements of a great boating and lifestyle show and it’s the ideal opportunity to meet our customers.”
Dometic specialises in ‘mobile living’, manufacturing products for the RV, marine, camping and caravanning markets.
Among its line-up at SCIBS 2023 was the performance-enhancing accessory, the jackplate.
Jackplates are a relatively new product category for the global brand, chosen for its synergy with the Dometic range of marine products. Dometic purchased the original design from Detwiler, then the brand's Vancouver facility invested 10 months in R&D and testing to re-engineer the product. The Vancouver facility was well chosen for this task, as it is also responsible for the design, engineering and manufacture of SeaStar hydraulic steering systems, Optimus electric steering/control systems and other components.
The result of this reengineering is the Dometic SeaStar jackplate, enhanced for structural strength, with aluminium plates and stainless-steel bolts for higher strength, ease of installation, improved features and aesthetics.
The evolution of the humble engine bracket of the 1980s, jackplates are mounted between an outboard engine of a boat and its transom to offset the backwash from the hull and create an optimal spot for performance and fuel economy, as well as allowing the vessel to cruise in shallower waters than a standard engine mount.
As Dometic Technical Product Manager, Davor Baros explained, “The purpose of the jackplate is to vertically raise and lower the engine without changing the trim angle of the outboard. This creates less drag in the water for improved speed and efficiency and for easier access to shallow water.”
Lifting the motor out of the water when docking can also reduce corrosion. In rougher conditions, lowering the engine deeper in the water can assist the vessel in remaining on plane.
The space between jackplate and the transom is the ‘setback’. The more setback you have, the more leverage the motor will have on the boat which helps raise the bow out of the water. Setback also positions the prop away from turbulent water coming off the hull, helping with performance.
“Our focus is to improve the user experience through more integrated control of devices on the boat,” continued Davor. “This is achieved with the building blocks of jackplates, Interact jackplate controller drive and trim tabs for better ride control.”
Ideal for outboard powered vessels to 32-feet, Dometic jackplates come in three versions: Standard, rated for up to 300hp, Xtreme capable of handling up to 400hp, and the latest addition, the Mega, developed to handle high performance engines up to 600hp.
Laurie Louvier, Dometic Vice President of Marketing
Looking ahead to 2024, Dometic is constantly innovating, and Laurie Louvier hints of new products in the pipeline centred around the boating lifestyle, including mobile power systems.
“APAC is a growing market for us, with a high per capita boating population,” she said. “We have a strong marine team here and a great connection with our customers.
“Next on our agenda is the IBEX Show in Tampa in October, followed by Fort Lauderdale in October and METS in November.”
To find out more about the Dometic SeaStar Jackplate, click here.
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