285xl jackplate

[lowprofile]

2005 285, Currently running a 6 inch jackplate, with 150 vmax, anyone went to a 8 or 10 inch jackplate and see any considerable gains?

[285Pro]

Keep in mind anything bigger than an 8" will void the hull warranty

[lowprofile]

Ye i know that will void warranty just wondering if anybody had tried more plate than the 6inch that come on them with improvements.

[1blubyu]

I don't know if it'd be worth the effort involved with removing the motor. The 285 is a really nice boat, but not a speed demon, and never was designed to be.

If space permits, seek out a nice 294. They are the sleeper hulls of the line, and are seeing low to mid 70's without too much tweaking.

[Les Young]

Lowprofile, I ran a 8" on an 03 185 & a cousin runs a 6" on his 04 285 & there's quite a bit of difference in handling between those two. The 04 with the 6" jumps up when getting on pad & when coming off plane catches some water. The 185 with an 8" just came up when hitting pad & when coming off plane was just as smooth as could be. Never had the launching into orbit or catching water feeling at all & was a little easier to drive in bad rough water. Personally I'd way rather have the 8", but that's me. I also ran about 2 mph faster that single consoles with a 6" & I was full of gas & very heavy load of tackle & had a dual console. I could run 63mph. gps tourney loaded. The single console would get 60.8 gps & not as heavy as mine. I was the fastest in the 18Ft size Stratos in our tourneys & we ran them every weekend. I really think the 8" made the difference as I got more lift that they did when fully trimmed at WOT.

[ep72]

Get ya some 2" spacers from Bob's, you may not see a mph gain but you will see much better handling.

[JeffA]

mine with a 6" plate set @ 3" under, 150HO, 24 RakerII, all my gear, empty livewells, 1/2 a tank of gas ran a best 65.1 GPS, handles good.