What size jack plate for a 1997 ZX 180 W/150 Mariner

Just curious! I am going to put one on my boat but not sure what size. I am new to this board and look forward to talking Skeeter's with you. I love mine and looks like I am not the only one. Sorry the boat is 18' 3"

Welcome to the BBC boards "SoonerSkeeter". Most of the other Skeeters seem to like 12" set-back. I'm not sure if that's what would be best for your's though. I'm sure someone will be along shortly that has more knowledge on your particular boat. It's been kind of slow tonight. A lot of the guys have been out to Rallies today.

I installed a 6 inch plate on my 18'5" Skeeter and it made an improvement. I later installed 4" spacers with the 6" plate (total 10") and it was great.

I'd go with a 6" plate for that size of motor.

I am also running 150 hp. You can always add spacers later to the 6" plate.

I spoke with a Skeeter dealer and they called Skeeter to see what jackplate they would recommend for my boat. They gave the dealer a number of a gentlemen who could direct me best for a jackplate for my boat. I called him and he recommended a manual 10" slidemaster jackplate. This guy deals with the older Skeeter boats as well as parts and sounded like he definitely knew what he was talking about so I am going to go with the 10" slidemaster. Thanks for all of your help!!

It will probably really scoot with the 10" of setback. Set your propshaft to pad height around 3". What prop are you running?

Well I have a 97 ZX176C and it came standard with a 12" Springfield so figure it out?

dcbassman, what is there to figure out?

nearly every ZX Skeeter I have run across including mine has 12" of set-back. I believe mine is manufactured by Vance. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

Where can you get the spacers that are being discussed....do they go between the motor and the exsisting plate...I have a 6" on a ZX 175....what are the advantages and disadvantages to doing this..is it going to put more stress on the transom or would you be better of buying a larger plate??? http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif

Several companies manufacture spacers. They are usually available in 2", 4", and 6" sizes. Yes, there will be additional transom stress. However, this stress is no diffferent that using just a larger jack plate.

I installed a 6" plate on my Skeeter, which improved performance. I later installed 2" spacer, which helped even more. This summer I swapped out the 2" spacers for a set of 4". This total 10" of setback made an incredible difference.

My jackplate and spacers are manufactured by T&H Marine products.

Hey Bigg-Un - check out this link:

http://www.thmarine.com/product.cfm?PRID=22

You said it made alot of differnce....can you explain that...is it in speed, holeshot, etc.....I have heard alot about set back but have never fully understood exactly what it would do for a boat....please enligthen me...

The 6" plate improved holeshot, reduced chine walk, and increased speed by about 2 mph (gps). The 2" spacers further inproved the previously mentioned items. The 4" spacers eliminated chine walk, increased speed by another 2 mph (gps), with the overall ride and handling being very smooth. I am very pleased with my decision.

The way i understand it ,the further your motor sets back from the boat,the cleaner the water for your prop,therefore more power. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/embeer.gif

Less turbulent water is a plus, but the big advantage of the setback is changing the boats balance point, which reduces the amount of hull in the water. This reduction of wetted surface reduces drag. Less drag, more speed.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZXD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The way i understand it ,the further your motor sets back from the boat,the cleaner the water for your prop,therefore more power. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/embeer.gif </TD></TR></TABLE>

It's not always the case. You can have too much set back.