Best jack plate for 201 Pro XL and best prop

[ChadASX]

What is the best size jack plate for an 03 201 with the 225HO? I have a 6 inch manual on there now but I'm thinking of putting a hydro. on it. I know the 6 inch will work fine but is there another that is better? I know the 10 inch is too much setback so I guess it really comes down to the 6 or the 8 inch. Which one is the absolute best? Or is there enough of a difference to even tell?

Question number 2. What is the best prop for this combo? Right now I'm running the 26 Raker2. Its got a great hole shot and I havn't gotten to open it all the way up yet but I've seen mid 70's already running solo and had to shut it down because I'd run out of room. So far I really like the prop I have just wondering if there is something better. Has anyone found the magic prop for this combo that gets every bit of performance out of it this rig is capable of? I just don't want to be missing out on something that works great that I don't know about.

Thanks guys.

[lkhartwl]

Chad, in respect to your jackplate question I would ( my self) stay away from a hydro unless it had a dial and a gauge I have seen too many people blow out engines trying to eek out the last few rpms and lift too far out when trimming up or when raising when trimmed up. ChampionMan suggests a Rapid Jack from pit stop, these are super easy to adjust and are the same jacks they put on Bullets. Champ has a 10" here is the link for the 7-8"http://www.pitstopmarine.com//...54b26here is a closeup of the plate as you can see you only adjust on the one side and with 1 wrench, ans it adjusts in 1/4" incruments the price will save you a ton over a hydro as it is about 300 and that is shipping included. He probably will sell for a little less as he is a great guy to buy from ( I bought a powerhead for my gambler from him). check this out before you spend big bucks for hydro jack plates.

as for the prop, I would stay with it for now. Merc props usually run better but they do have a problem with being the same and you usually have to have some tweaking done to it even new from the box... ( Mark's Props is great at this and great price)
Now remember if you are running out of room when WOT 70+ mph will do you right on a larger lake.
I would also keep the prop until you get the plate and see if it does better or worse after the plate addition, tempest and trophys from Merc usually run 1-2 mph more but then again usually you have to tweak them to get them to run good even on a merc. Hope this helped a little Steve

[Oldgeezer]

Go with the Hydro. Will give you a lot of flexibility. All your really need to do is pay attention to the water pressure and height gages. Provides ease of changing from 3 to 4 blade props and fishing in shallow water. If you find a deal on a 6 inch, you can easily add a 2 inch set back plate for the 8 inches that is probably the best set back. I would ask Todd though. He will be able to set you up with the correct combination. Good luck with your decision(s). JMHO of course.

[ChadASX]

Thanks for the info guys. As for my prop now I'm sure from what little I've seen with it now its going to be fine. I've yet to get it on a lake or river yet where I can really open it up for a long distance but I really doubt I'll be turning to many rpm's or anything when wide open. I think its going to be just about right. Everyone I know with this boat and motor combo runs the 26 raker's and none of them I know of have taken the time to try anything else. They just left well enough alone. I'm just curious if someone had found something that just blows the rakers away. Right now my hole shot is incredible and although I havn't found the top end yet I'm impressed as to what I've seen. I want to get a spare prop for it and I'd really like to have a 4 blade for rough water.

As for the hydro jack plate, the only reason I want one is shallow water access. I'm not one to be messing with the motor height while running down the lake. I want the gauge on it where I can just leave it set for all around best performance and the only time I can see myself touching it would be to drop it down in rough water and to raise it up when idleing into the shallow backwaters. So I'm not going to be in any danger of running the motor out of water while running down the lake. I just need to know what is the best amount of setback to have on this hull so I don't put a 6 on there and then find out I should have added 2 inch spacers on there while I had it apart. I want to do it right the first time.