Bob'S Machine

Bob's Machine Shop: American-Made Marine Performance Since 1978

Bob's Machine Shop has been at the forefront of outboard motor performance innovation for nearly five decades. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the company built its reputation on a simple but powerful idea: make the best jack plates in the world, right here in the USA. Today, that commitment to domestic craftsmanship and continuous engineering advancement has made Bob's Machine one of the most trusted names among competitive anglers, tournament fishermen, and serious recreational boaters alike.

Pioneers in Jack Plate Technology

Bob's Machine didn't just enter the jack plate market — they defined it. They were the first manufacturer to produce a jack plate rated for 300 horsepower, the first to offer multiple setback options in a single one-piece design, and the first to bring custom color options to the segment. These milestones weren't marketing gimmicks; they reflected a genuine drive to solve real problems for boaters navigating shallow water, chasing tournament speeds, and demanding reliable on-water performance day after day.

Today, their jack plate lineup spans hydraulic and manual configurations, with setback options ranging from 4 to 14 inches, and models engineered for outboards all the way up to 627 horsepower. Every unit is built in-house using CNC machining, marine-grade aluminum, and stainless steel hardware — with engineering, welding, assembly, powder coating, and final inspection all performed at their Tampa facility. This vertical integration allows for tighter quality control and consistent performance across the entire product range.

Performance-Driven Engineering Across the Outboard System

A jack plate is only one piece of the performance puzzle, and Bob's Machine understands the full picture. Their Standard Series jack plates ship as a complete package — lift, controls, pump, switch, hoses, and hardware — backed by a lifetime structural warranty and a 5-year warranty on the hydraulic pump motor, one of the longest in the industry. The flagship Action Series takes things further with a fully integrated internal pump built directly into the plate housing, saving interior space while delivering exceptional lift capacity.

Beyond jack plates, Bob's Machine offers trim and tilt units and tilt/trim motors to give boaters precise control over engine angle and cavitation management. For anglers who run auxiliary or secondary engines, their outboard motor brackets provide sturdy, reliable mounting solutions designed to withstand the rigors of performance boating. They also carry a selection of trolling motor parts and accessories, rounding out their offering for anglers who demand precision control at both high speed and slow presentations.

Made in the USA — More Than a Label

For Bob's Machine, the "Made in the USA" designation is a core operating philosophy. Every step of production — from raw CNC milling to powder coating and hydrographics finishing — takes place at their Tampa facility. This keeps quality in-house, enables faster turnaround, and ensures every product meets their exacting standards before it leaves the shop. It also means that when a customer calls for support, they're talking to the same team that built the product.

Whether you're rigging a bass boat for tournament competition, optimizing a flats skiff for shallow-water access, or upgrading an aging outboard system, Bob's Machine Shop has the performance hardware to get the most out of your time on the water.