10" jackplate on my '96 288 Stratos?

[snatchin'necks]

What can I gain in mph? If any? Are there any concerns for the strength of the transom? I will be sticking with the 150 Fast Strike for a while. Your opinions are greatly appreciated.

[201pro]

I would say a 6-8" would be a better choice. Gains will come from being able to find the sweet spot for height and running the prop in cleaner water with the set back. Can't say what you'll gain without knowing what it does now.

[snatchin'necks]

Thanks for your response 201...This is my current set up. I purchased this boat from a friend a while back and haven't had much time to play with it. Enough to figure out that its a lil on the edge. No plate, able to turn a 24P Raker 1st gen to 5500 RPM. I know the motor is a lil high now. The boat performs well with 2 people in it, but it's strictly set up for top end speed. I run it by myself yesterday and couldn't hardly get the prop to hook up. I had to feather the throttle all the way to the top to keep it from blowing out. The extra 150 to 200 lbs makes a difference. 1 person I ran 59.7 and with 2 people it'll run 61.3. course there wasn't a lick of wind yesterday either but I think that would have made the cav situation worse. The motor is set at the next hole up from the bottom, so I know it needs to come down especially for the 25P Gade I just picked up for it. I've been told they don't like to be surfaced and I'm surfacing my 3 blade now. Still got close to 20 psi wp tho. Another thing is that its set up with a 80s style lower. I've also been told that the correct gearcase I can run higher. The hole deal is I would like to get as close to both worlds as I can...being top speed and handling. I fish big lakes, I fish small lakes, and I run the river which is pretty tight. Im a semi retired marine tech and I come across parts sometimes. Had a 10" jack I took in trade. Was wondering if it was worth playing with.

[201pro]

If you have a 10" plate and the transom is really solid, try it and see. Will help to have the height adjustment. Just don't know how that hull will like the 10" setback.

[snatchin'necks]

I know I've delivered a couple of 19' Blazers from the factory rigged with a 300 hp and 15" set back. Basically that's what my 288 is, 18' 10". I also realize that I am comparing apples to oranges. Transom seems pretty solid for an old girl. Ill do some investigating. I know the engine has to go down but I'm not sure that it needs to go down a full hole. Thank you for your input 201.