Cook Mfg. Jack Plates

Cook Mfg. Jack Plates: A Legacy of Precision Transom Engineering

When anglers and recreational boaters talk about jack plates, Cook Manufacturing (CMC) is one of the names that comes up first. Based in Duncan, Oklahoma, Cook Mfg. has been building quality marine transom jacks since 1956, establishing itself as a market leader in the jack plate category long before the term became common on tournament fishing circuits. Their CMC-branded Power-Lift line earned a reputation with serious anglers: there are more CMC Power-Lifts on the B.A.S.S. tournament trail than any other jack plate.

What Sets Cook Mfg. Apart in the Jack Plate Category

Every Cook Mfg. jack plate is engineered around one core philosophy: maximum strength with minimum weight. Across both manual and hydraulic lines, CMC builds its transom jacks from 6061 T6 extruded aluminum alloy fastened with stainless steel hardware — a combination that resists corrosion in both fresh and saltwater environments. Critically, CMC units use no welds or castings, eliminating common structural failure points found on competing designs.

The hydraulic CMC Power-Lift models take durability a step further. Their hydraulic system is made of 100% non-ferrous materials, making it more resistant to saltwater and freshwater corrosion than ball-screw electro-mechanical systems found on other brands — and rated at over 7,800 lbs. of thrust. The system is completely sealed and submersible, running without concern for water damage even in demanding marine conditions.

Cook Mfg. Jack Plate Product Lines

• CMC Manual Power-Lift (ML Series): Built from 6061 T6 extruded aluminum with a centrally located all-thread stainless steel adjustment screw for uniform lift and positive alignment. Offers 5" of vertical travel with a choice of 5-1/2" or 10" setback from the transom. Designed to fit standard B.I.A. bolt patterns without drilling holes or modifying the boat or motor — ideal for V-6 engines up to 300 HP.
• CMC Hydraulic Power-Lift (PL Series): The flagship hydraulic jack plate, built from 1/2" 6061 T6 alloy aluminum extrusions with stainless fasteners. The PL-65HS High Speed variant raises a V-6 motor in approximately 5 seconds — twice as fast as earlier models — making it ideal for high-speed outboard positioning on performance and tournament bass boats.
• CMC PT-130 Tilt & Trim: A hydraulic tilt-and-trim unit rated for motors up to 130 HP, offering 20° of trim and 65° of total trim and tilt. Backed by a 5-year structural warranty, it features a sealed, submersible hydraulic system with no welds or castings to break.
• CMC PT-35 Tilt & Trim: Rated for outboards up to 35 HP, this compact unit delivers 84° of trim and tilt with a 5-1/2" setback, electric hydraulic actuation at 7,853 lbs. of thrust, and accommodates both clamp-on and bolt-on motors without an adapter — all at just 24 lbs.
• Mini-Jacker: Designed for clamp-on outboards up to 35 HP (max 150 lbs.), the Mini-Jacker improves performance and handling on smaller boats and also allows mounting of long-shaft motors to shorter-shaft transom boats.
• Static Setback Plates: Available in 2-1/2" and larger configurations, these plates are most commonly paired with a manual or hydraulic Power-Lift to extend total setback to 8" or more, pulling the prop further into cleaner, less turbulent water.

Why Jack Plate Setback and Lift Matter

A jack plate's job is to move the outboard both rearward (setback) and vertically up and down. The setback positions the propeller in cleaner, less turbulent water behind the transom, while vertical adjustment lets you run shallower without sacrificing thrust angle. Cook Mfg. jack plates are engineered to deliver both benefits precisely — whether you're navigating shallow flats or dialing in top-end performance on open water.