I currently have a cut-down transom for a short shaft outboard (been that way for over 30 years) that I give up trying to find a 40-50 hp shortshaft outboard for. I want to put a jack plate on and buy a 50hp tiller outboard. My question is should I buy the outboard first so I am able to determine the bolt locations for a jack plate? The jack plates I've seen tell you what the spacing is for bolt placement but since I don't know what motor I'm going to buy, should I get the motor first and then the jack plate? Thanks for any help.
