Hey everyone,
I just ordered an Alpha 211 with Merc 250 pro xs. I am really excited, but I am still debating a hydraulic vs. manual jackplate. Any thoughts, benefits or drawbacks of one vs. the other?
I loaded the boat except for the hydraulic jackplate, and after discussing with Dean Smith, he thought I could save a little cash staying with the manual. Please let me know your thoughts.
I think legends come with hydro-dynamics rapid jack, so really unless you plan to constantly adjust it and jack it up to run in shallow water and such theres no point in a hydraulic. The rapid jack is very easy to adjust
Thanks for the reply. I will probably just stayl with what I ordered. Just wanted some reassurance. I am getting a 25 fury. Any tips on set-up?
You are spending 50-60 grand and you are worried about saving a few bucks on a jack plate?I would get one just for the bad boat ramps so you dont nick your prop up.
I know what you are saying, but I have also heard that a hydraulic jackplate is the weakest part of a bassboat. I've heard of a few that have been nothing but trouble.
I do like them for bad ramps and when idling in stumpfields like they have at Lake Fork.
manual for sure as for stump fields learn to raise the t motor and raise the big motor up save the gees means more gas money
sorry bout that i meant use the t motor
I thought I would be on Easy Street by now but somehow I missed the off ramp!
Thanks. I knew what you meant
Ive had both-- from the performance side is dont see the benefit of hydraulic,, now if you fish alot of shallow lakes where running in areas where the graph doenst register i highly recommend it. The hydraulic will allow you to come up in shallower water run across skinny water and can even be some benefit in really rough stuff by pushing the motor down.
I had a manual on my last 211 and hated it. My new 211 is rigged with a 10 inch atlas and I will never have one without it again.
As far as finding the best setting for the jackplate when running, is it just trial and error? Is there a good starting point?
My buddy has a z21 with an atlas hydraulic plate, and I know his "sweet spot" on his gauge is like 21 or 22. Any suggestions?
my sweet spot was 7-- but yours may be different depending on how the sensor is set. It doenst take long to find it. Just a few runs.
no as for your ques always down with legend steppin up not being stepped on
Once you have a hydraulic plate on a boat, you will never have a boat without one. Best money you'll ever spend on a boat in my opinion besides electronics.
I've pretty much decided to go that way. Is there any maintence you need to do with a hydraulic jackplate?
Never had a lick of problems with my Bob's. I've never tried an Atlas. Unless it has a fitting or something that starts leaking, it's pretty much maintenance free.
+1 so very true!<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by cajunsmitty »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Once you have a hydraulic plate on a boat, you will never have a boat without one. Best money you'll ever spend on a boat in my opinion besides electronics.</td></tr></table>
I can tell you that up north I run into some pretty rough water and a hydraulic plate will help you make adjustments on the fly to help keep your prop in the water.
I called last week and updated my order to include the hydraulic plate. I am not picking up my boat until Feb! Talk about a long wait...it sucks.
I will be so excited to make that trip when it gets here!
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