Manual Jackplate on 721 - Swap or Not?

[Phoenix Ed]

Okay guys here is where I am on my boat.

It is a 2013 721 and for some reason they put an 8" Z-Lock on a 250 Merc. With my current setup I am right at 73, drives like a dream up to 72 and then wants to walk, not a problem after almost 6 years in the boat. Hole shot is great.

So I ran across a 10" slidemaster I am thinking about buying. So the question of the day is swapping out to a 10" really worth the time? I have help to do it myself.

I would love to have a hydraulic plate but it is not in the budget.

Thanks.

[DREWTICK]

unless you were going to a 12" or changing to hydro probably would not mess with it but thats me speaking for someone else, me and my buddys would swap it to see but we do that all the time just for fun

[tmoney]

Those are good numbers with the manual. I have a 12" plate, and I'm around 74-75 fully loaded on a good day. That being said, a hydraulic plate has more advantages than just speed. Just depends on whether or not you fish a lot of shallow water, etc.

[djd]

unless you were going to a 12" or changing to hydro probably would not mess with it but thats me speaking for someone else, me and my buddys would swap it to see but we do that all the time just for fun

No way I would expend the time or money unless it was a hydraulic jackplate.... Now that I have one, won't have another boat without it. So many advantages beyond speed.... the ability to 'dial' in props quicker, adjust for conditions, get on plane in shallow water, run rough water, etc make a hydraulic jackplate a must have IMHO.

djd

[kry29]

You said you can do it yourself so it's not going to cost much. If it's only $100 to do it I would do it. If you were paying a dealer and all that I wouldn't do it. Theres always the option to save for a hydraulic though.

[MichPhoenix77]

I would wait and save for a Hydraulic Jack plate.

[TX721]

I wouldn’t do that for a 10”. Did you find some time and need a project? I’d wait for the 12” hydraulic plate. Plus your numbers are good. (Just wondering, are our cables long enough to add a 4” setback?). But like Andy said, “unless you’re doing it for fun”.

[Phoenix Ed]

I'm staying where I am. I have a place to do the swap, but after looking at it more, I'm pretty happy where I am performance wise. I may come up another 1/4" and see what she does. Or I may just go fishing!

Thanks for the input.

[TX721]

...I may just go fishing! Thanks for the input.

Good call Eddie. Good luck out there!

[Phoenix Ed]

Good call Eddie. Good luck out there!

Thanks Tom, hope all is well on your side of Texas! We need to do a Fayette run soon.