Bob'S Machine Jack Plates

Bob's Machine Shop: The Original Jack Plate Manufacturer

Bob's Machine Shop (BMS) has been synonymous with jack plates for decades. As the self-described originator of the hydraulic jack plate — on the market since 1978 — BMS has built an unmatched legacy in a category they helped define. Unlike manufacturers that treat jack plates as a secondary product, jack plates are the company's singular focus. Every design decision, engineering refinement, and patented feature reflects that single-minded commitment to getting outboard positioning right.

Browse the full jack plates category to explore all available BMS configurations and setbacks.

A Product Line Built for Every Boater

BMS offers four primary jack plate series to match a wide range of engines, boat types, and boating styles:

• Standard Series Hydraulic Jack Plates — The flagship line that has been refined since 1978. Rated for engines up to 300 hp, the Standard Series is engineered around a core philosophy: keep weight off the transom. By mounting the hydraulic pump inside the boat rather than on the plate, BMS claims this is the lightest-weight hydraulic jack plate on the market. All models carry a lifetime structural warranty to the original end user, plus a 5-year warranty on the hydraulic pump motor — the longest pump warranty in the industry.
• Action Series Jack Plates™ — BMS's newer hydraulic line integrates the pump directly inside the jack plate structure itself, eliminating the need to mount a pump inside the boat. The internal motor is engineered for greater lifting speed and strength when paired with heavy outboards, making the Action Series a popular choice for OEM rigging applications.
• Versa Jac (Standard & Extreme Gen 3) — The Versa Jac is BMS's upgradable manual jack plate. It ships as a manual unit but is designed from the ground up to be converted to full hydraulic operation at a later date — simply swap out the manual screw assembly for a hydraulic cylinder kit with basic hand tools. The Extreme Gen 3 version handles engines beyond 350 hp, including modern V8 outboards, and accommodates motor mounting widths wider than 14.5 inches.
• Mini Jac — Built for smaller, lighter boats, the Mini Jac line handles engines up to 50 hp and features a compact footprint ideal for micro skiffs and boats with clamp-on motors. Multiple weight and width configurations are available to fit everything from standard BIA bolt-pattern boats to Gheenoe-style hulls.

Patented Design Advantages That Set BMS Apart

Several engineering details distinguish Bob's Machine Shop jack plates from the competition. All BMS models use a true one-piece design, eliminating the need for setback spacers that competitors require to achieve different setback distances. Setbacks are available in 4", 6", 8", 10", 12", and 14" increments, with each unit built as a single integrated structure. Additionally, BMS jack plates feature automotive-style grease nipples in the side rails — a unique maintenance feature in the jack plate market — along with hi-tech bearings engineered not to absorb water, which is critical for both freshwater and saltwater applications. All models come pre-drilled for dual side-mount Power Pole shallow water anchor brackets, and many include a holeshot plate on 8"+ setback models.

Performance and Utility in One Package

Jack plates improve outboard boat speed, holeshot, fuel efficiency, and shallow-water navigation — and BMS plates are built to deliver all four benefits reliably. Whether you're running flats, chasing performance numbers on open water, or simply need to navigate skinny water, Bob's Machine Shop's range of hydraulic and manual jack plates provides a verified, time-tested solution backed by domestic manufacturing and industry-leading warranty coverage.