Hydraulic Jackplate or Not????

[MadBass]

I just completed a great deal with Todd Morgan to purchase a 07 200XL with 225 HPDI. It comes with a manual jackplate. Would It be wise to get a hydraulic jackplate installed?? And your reason??

[201pro]

I have an 8" hydraulic on mine...I like it... I am able to adjust my engine height depending on the load and maintain some of my top end with a full fuel/livewell/tournament load... I very rough water ( 3-4 ft'ers and up ) I can bury the motor and still have prop bite and not come out of the water quite as bad...For shallow water it is great...I can run the motor in a more nuetral position and not have to push the stern down into the bottom because the motor is tilted way up...

But, I have run every other boat I have had with a manual plate and they did fine...I just did not have the "on the fly" adjustments...

It is a personal choice in weighing the cost against the value you feel it would add to you using the boat...

[JohnM]

I posted my thoughts on the Hyd Plate under Doog's thread a few down. If I ever get another boat or get some extra bucks my current boat will get a Hyd Plate. I HAVE driven a couple of Stratos 200's with and w/o the Hyd Plate. When Todd and crew get done rigging that combo you can count on it running fast enough that you will have to drive it! IMHO the 200 Strats I've driven with a Hyd Plate were a breeze. I demo'd one to a new owner who had not ever owned a boat that would run and chine walk. It took all of 15 min's for him to be running in the high 60's with confidence.

Like everything else with our sport, it comes down to how much are you willing to spend?

BTW: I have not heard DILLIGAS in a while

[JJohnSind]

I've had hydraulic on my two previous boats but did not get it on my last boat and have regreted it all year.

The reason why I didn't get it this time is because I felt you didn't get the investment back on resale (a good one will cost over $1,000.00), now I realize I miss the benefits. If you can afford one and plan on keeping the boat a while, I wouldn't hesitate.

[buzzjet]

I would say that a hydraulic plate is absolutely necessary if you fish shallow lakes. I have a 200 PXL with a manual 8" plate. Everytime we go to shallow water lakes like in Florida, I wish that I had a hydraulic plate. If you fish deep lakes, then maybe it isn't necessary. My next boat will have a hydraulic plate simply so that I can deal with the shallow water better.

[MadBass]

Thanks a lot, everybody, for the information and opinions. I may regret it but, not being a TX fisherman or runnin' shallow lakes, I think I'll try this, for a year or so, without the hyd. plate.