[Crossbones]

You sure you stretched those bolts or maybe they were loose for a different reason? I was piddling around with mine in the garage a couple years back and noticed the jack plate was loose. The bolts did tighten up but after a fishing trip on the way back home I looked back and noticed my motor bouncing even though I always use a transom saver. Pulling off the road and checking things out I saw that the bolts were loose again. :yikes:

After having limped on back, it turned out my transom was compromised due to water damage and I had to fix it. I would tighten the bolts but the bolt head was just compressing the wood in the transom.

The transom was solid. My buddy and I pulled motor and jackplate and checked transom. The two lower bolts bent, but not to much, but plate was loose. Replace to all new bolts and remounted everything. It was good to go. I have seen some where transom had water get in.