Transom is solid so far as I can tell.
Drove the boat up from Florida with the 150 hanging on the jackplate. It has a SS plate that Jackplate is mounted onto.
I cannot say whether it runs better with or without a Jackplate, since I have never run it without. With the Jackplate and the 150, it screams. The hole shot will throw you off the stern if you are not paying attention.
I have more pics posted on shutterfly now, so email me if you want more.
chriselk@med.unc.edu