Jackplate Question

[BigSteve1967]

OK I have what is probably a dumb question but I guess I would rather ask you guys then the wack jobs on the main board

What exactly does a jackplate do for the boat? is there really that significant of an increase in performance or should I just save my money and invest in Jigs? I get 60 out of my boat and that is truly fast enough for me. I was just curious if it would make so much of an improvement that it would make me think I had a new boat.

[xpress spanky]

Steve,on some boats it will make more of a difference than others.On my 17' Xpress a 6" plate was worth 3mph.I pulled it off and tryed a 10" which i am currently running,and it gave me 5 mph over no plate,and thats with the same prop.It will give you more bow lift by adding more leverage,and will let the prop run in cleaner water (less air mixed with the water that comes off the bottom of the boat),And will let you raise or lower your prop and lower unit to fine tune your combo for the least drag,and best lift. In my opinion you won't go wrong by adding a 6" plate which is pretty reasonable in price.Also they tend to give you a bigger boat feel by adding length to your rig.Forgot to tell you,but mine is just a 90hp and it gained 5 mph with the plate.

[BigTone,Ar.]

if sixty is truely fast enough for you then do not waste your money. But, you would see a small (2-5) gain in speed when properly set up. My two cents: buy a used one and rock.

[BigSteve1967]

Thats exactly what I was thinking about a 6" plate used because then I wont have to worry about the cable length. Guess I may give it a try heck I can always sell it if I dont like it

[wildkat7]

Don't let Mikey fool you.....he took his little 90HP to Hydrotech.....jackplate wasn't everything.

[JStew]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by BigSteve1967 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Thats exactly what I was thinking about a 6" plate used because then I wont have to worry about the cable length. Guess I may give it a try heck I can always sell it if I dont like it

</td></tr></table>

Maybe so - maybe not. 60 mph is already very solid performance for a 19' boat w/ a carbed 150. A JP "should" give you a little more speed due to raising the motor about 2 1/2", giving the prop more leverage for lift. On the other hand - most of the brands were using wood in the transoms in '96 which is the weakest link. If the transom is solid and has no stress cracking - you "should" be alright. By moving the motor back, transom stress will increase considerably.

You will have to make absolutely sure you completely silicone the installation to make sure there is no water intrusion and use aluminum braces both top and bottom to spread the working load across the entire transom. Don't just rely on 4 bolts or you could be in trouble. Just trying to show the other side of the decision.

[Dando]

Basically, the farther back the motor sets, the higher you can raise it (and it still be in the water). Jackplate allows you to raise your motor. The higher it is, the more rpm it will turn, the faster it will go. (to a certain extent). That's the basic "nuts and bolts" of the whole deal.
They can make a boat ride rougher. Launch slower, handle more "squirly". OR just handle differently than before.

I've heard that a good rule of thumb is: 1" of setback for every 1' of boat. (setback being the distance from where the pad "ends"-to-the front of the lower unit). Boat setting level and propshaft setting level when measuring.
Basically, no need to exceed that 1"/1' rule on a typical bass boat.

I think most all Rangers now how this incorporated into the transom (the way the boat is built). Although, I see many with jackplates on them anyway. I bet if you measured that distance on William Hope's Ranger, it would have to be almost 3 feet from the rear of the pad to the front of the lower unit.

[wildkat7]

Nothing like seeing a 20ft Ranger with a built in 10in setback and a 10-12 inch jackbplate....

What's even funnier is when they use the traditional transom saver than's 7 feet long.

[Dando]

Jeff, For jackplates, we use windshield mastic (caulking gun and tube of silicone used to install vehicle windshields).
You can then take all four bolts out with the motor still in place.....and scratch your head wondering what to do next to get it to come lose.

[Dando]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by wildkat7 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Nothing like seeing a 20ft Ranger with a built in 10in setback and a 10-12 inch jackbplate....

What's even funnier is when they use the traditional transom saver than's 7 feet long. </td></tr></table>

Sam, I can assure you, Marks Ranger has at least 16" without a jackplate!

[wildkat7]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by SkeeterDD22 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Jeff, For jackplates, we use windshield mastic (caulking gun and tube of silicone used to install vehicle windshields).
You can then take all four bolts out with the motor still in place.....and scratch your head wondering what to do next to get it to come lose. </td></tr></table>

[Dando]

When William Hope leaves the lake at Crystal, He pulls into a parking place and his motor is still in the water.

[JStew]

Main thing I was talking about is mounting a jackplate on a 15 yr. old transom. It may look good on the outside but could have either water intrusion or dry rot. A lot could have happened in 15 yrs. It would be good insurance to add one of these to both the upper and lower bolts to make it a much stronger installation. Mine is a 6 bolt plate - and I have three of these put on the boat from the factory.



The transom may still be as strong as the day it was built - but if it was mine, I'd add these braces from T-H marine and spread the added load & stress the jackplate puts on the transom. Actually a serious answer on my part for once...

[wildkat7]

quit messing up this thread Jeff....it's been hi-jacked.

[tat900]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by SkeeterDD22 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Jeff, For jackplates, we use windshield mastic (caulking gun and tube of silicone used to install vehicle windshields).
You can then take all four bolts out with the motor still in place.....and scratch your head wondering what to do next to get it to come lose. </td></tr></table>

piano wire does wonders on windshield removal

[Dando]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by tat900 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

piano wire does wonders on windshield removal </td></tr></table>

And gelcoat. (axs me how I know)

[JStew]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by wildkat7 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">quit messing up this thread Jeff....it's been hi-jacked. </td></tr></table>

Just look at all the crap we gave Clairday for loosing a motor cowling on Maumelle. Imagine what ammo we'd have with Steve if he dunked a motor w/ a hole in his transom...

[wildkat7]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by JStew &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Just look at all the crap we gave Clairday for loosing a motor cowling on Maumelle. Imagine what ammo we'd have with Steve if he dunked a motor w/ a hole in his transom... </td></tr></table>

That would be one for the ages....

[BigSteve1967]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by JStew &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Just look at all the crap we gave Clairday for loosing a motor cowling on Maumelle. Imagine what ammo we'd have with Steve if he dunked a motor w/ a hole in his transom... </td></tr></table>

see thats it no jackplate cuz right now the ammo box is pretty empty on me so far and i wanna keep it that way

[stretch]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by SkeeterDD22 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">When William Hope leaves the lake at Crystal, He pulls into a parking place and his motor is still in the water.</td></tr></table>