Water Pressure / Jack Plate Question

[RenegadeBassin]

I am putting a 6" manual jack plate on my lund. I've read on other threads that you want to adjust height until you lose speed or water pressure. I know there are several threads about adjustment and set up so we don't need to discuss that here. My question is do you think I need to get a water pressure gauge if I am just going to be adjusting the plate to optimal height for all around best performance and then leaving it there? Seems like a waste of money since I would really only be using it for the one time adjustment...but I also don't want to damage my outboard. Let me know what you think.

[billnorman1]

It never hurts to have a water pressure gauge (unless it freezes). A long time ago I lost a perfectly good 60 HP Evinrude when I ran over a plastic bag.

[BoatBuggy]

A water pressure gauge is cheap. Engines aren't.

[RenegadeBassin]

Anyone have any suggestions for which one is a good one then? My outboard does have the alarm system for when something is wrong which is good, but if they are cheap then it sounds like it can't hurt.

I was also thinking about mercury's vessel view mobile, but thats like $250 and I'm not sure if it has a water pressure reading or not.

[BoatBuggy]

The place you bought your Lund will have them. Teleflex, Faria and Sierra are the main manufacturers of aftermarket gauges.

[FlipSide]

I would try to match whatever gauges you have on your boat already... but that is just me. Any of the major brands will do just fine though

[RenegadeBassin]

My only concern is finding a place for it, I was thinking I could swap out the trim gauge for it since finding the right trim level is more of a feel thing than reading a gauge. Also you can just turn around and look behind you if you're worried about where the outboard is

[Skeeterbait]

Honestly, your best option is to swap out your tach with a SmartCraft MercMonitor. Yes it will cost more but you get so much more for your money. You will get accurate digital water pressure and RPM. You will get diagnostics in the case of engine fault codes. You can get accurate trim readings. It will give you engine hours and help you trac your maintenance schedule. And much more is possible if you want it.

[RenegadeBassin]

That sounds a lot like the mercury vessel view module you connect to the motor and then read off your phone. I have been thinking about how useful that could be in the long run. I have a lot of time to decide before the ice melts anyway.

[billnorman1]

I thoroughly see your point on where to mount a WP gauge. The warning horn system is pretty good, back in the day the horns would rust up, and when you're under way at full throttle the noise factor and/or a hoodie, helmet or otherwise can make hearing the horn impossible. I let a fellow inexperienced angler drive my Bass Cat once at speed. Two things happened, we lost the Bass Cat matching rear seat cover and ran out of oil. I didn't hear the low oil warning horn until we came off plane, and at that point we were 5 miles from the ramp. Luckily there was a house with a boat on the shore, and I knocked on the door and the guy who lived there had some 50:1 oil which he gave me.
Not sure if I'd be drilling a new hole for a gauge.

[slonezp]

when you're under way at full throttle the noise factor and/or a hoodie, helmet or otherwise can make hearing the horn impossible.

The above statement is definitely true with 2 strokes. Not sure about 4 strokes. The Mercury computer will "hopefully" put you into Guardian mode before you cause any major damage.

[RenegadeBassin]

Yeah the outboard is really quiet. I guess I should just put in the money to get the vessel view module, should be very useful in the long run. I just wish it wasn't so expensive...anyone want to buy some new oakley freshwater glasses?

[billnorman1]

Yeah the outboard is really quiet. I guess I should just put in the money to get the vessel view module, should be very useful in the long run. I just wish it wasn't so expensive...anyone want to buy some new oakley freshwater glasses?

I took the ferry across the river here yesterday. While waiting for it to return from the other side I walked down to the edge of the ramp. Amongst the floating ice I saw a small bluegill swimming around. The ferry was in a channel in the ice which stretched from one side of the river to the other. I looked at the chunks of ice at the waters edge. It was 4 to 5 inches thick. You have plenty of time to save up before you need a gauge.

[RenegadeBassin]

Haha yes you have a point. We have 8+ inches here. Winters get pretty boring around here there isn't a lot else to do than think about what I want for my boat. Can you tell I'm young?

[rocket man]

Get a Girlfriend. Might be cheaper, but probably not.

[slonezp]

Get a Girlfriend. Might be cheaper, but probably not.

But she'll make him sell the boat

[RenegadeBassin]

But she'll make him sell the boat

That's why you can only date girls who like fishing!

[krr6581]

That's why you can only date girls who like fishing!

No you find a girlfriend that has her own boat then marry her!!!

[Great Scott]

Stan, you have absolutely got the right idea. LDS