2008 Nitro 898 jack plate questions

[Pat H]

I recently purchased an 08 898 with a 200 Optimax, 25 pitch Tempest Plus and a 12in Slide Master manual jack plate. I have only had the boat on the water a couple times, and don't have WOT speed and RPM numbers yet, but the boat is slow out of the hole, but seems pretty fast on plane. I have seen 65 on GPS, but didn't look at the RPM's. I want to check out the position of the prop relative to the bottom of the boat. What's the best way to dial in the jackplate height, and whats a good starting point for the prop below the boat?
Sorry for the rookie questions, but I have no experience with jack plates.

Thanks,
Pat

[Riceman898]

HI Pat,

Congrat on the boat. I have the 07 Version 200 opti without a jake plate. I had the prop blueprinted. I am getting 67 MPH with 2 guys and half load.

I had a discussion with the mercury racing staff and they indicated that unless you fish very shallow water all the time, you shouldn't need a jackplate. That said, I do want to put one on though.

Any pics. Love to see setup

[bmas13]

If you want to dial in the performance of your rig you are going to need a jack plate. Plus the setback will help your prop get a little better bite in "cleaner" water with the JP.

It sounds like you are decently dialed in with your speed, so the JP may not need too much adjustment. If you want to see some improvements in the performance you will need to get the prop balanced and blueprinted first, then dial in the JP.

For your hole shot, the first thing you want to do is to start removing the PVS plugs (the plastic plugs on your prop), one at a time - it may only need one removed.

By the way Pat, welcome to the boards!

[Pat H]

Thanks for the tips.
I found some info about jackplate adjustment that I'm going to try the next time I get to the lake.
About the plugs in the prop. One is out and the other two are still in. I may try pilling another one out.

[bmas13]

I'd definitely pull one more out. Use some needle-nosed pliers to remove it so that you can put it back in if you need to.

[Nitro 929]

Hey Pat, how is it going? Tough bite last week @ Lake Pleasent last week I have been working on my set up to with my 929 and got prop shaft set @ 3" below pad and think i`m getting close. It was @ 3.5 below when I got it and from what i`ve read on here thats a good starting point. If you go to the setup forum they might be able to help as well. This is great site with a ton of good imformation!

[BMCD]

3.5 below is a good starting point. I cannot remember if the 898 was a rear tank design, I think it was mid tank boat. A 24p Fury or a 25p Trophy would help on holeshot. Had friend get 72 with a trophy prop and a 225 on his 898.