Jack Plates?

[mpos6541]

I have a Lund Rebel 1650 with a Johnson 60 hp. I am looking at putting a 4" or 5" manual jack plate on the transom in the hope that the space it will provide between the transom and the engine will provide a somewhat greater speed. I do not need hydraulic jack since I have tilt and trim. What I am wanting to know is whether a modest fixed jack will actually give me any greater speed or any other advantage?

Thanks very much,
mpos6541

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Jack Plates?

i think getting you motor height to the correct postion and trim correct would do as much as a jack plate.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Jack Plates?

I always thought jack plates were made for the shallow water flats boats so popular around here, but this link shows other useful benefits for them, one of which is better fuel mileage.

http://www.tropicalboating.com/powerboating/hydraulic-jack-plates.html

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Jack Plates?

Jack plates do two things one is allow you to easily adjust the height of your motor and the second is to set the motor back behind the hull.

Setting the motor back has the same affect as a hull with a notched transom or as many incorrectly call stepped (steps are farther forward) witch allows the prop to run in cleaner water and allows you to run your motor higher.

Jack plates are actually mostly used by people looking for speed not for shallow water. Shallow water boats are designed with channels or pockets that allow the motor to be set higher from the factory. Speed boats are designed with a flat section in the rear of the v called a pad the the boat runs on at speed.

The first thing I would do is make sure your getting the most you can out of what you already own by making sure your set at the right height.

I'm not that familiar with your boat so I don't know how much the benefit will be, but I'd bet it will give you more speed.

Word of warning make sure your picking up water i.e. don't run your motor to high. (or use transom mounted pickup or nose cone).

Also having tilt doesn't have anything to do with wether or not you'd want a hydraulic jack plate they are completely different angles and effects

 

[marquette]

Re: Jack Plates?

i have a 1989 16ft Lund Rebel. not the exact same hull design as yours but about the same weight i beleive. i use a 30hp Honda on it. i installed a CMC T&T unit which sets the motor back about 4 1/2 inches. i know it is a differant unit than their jack plate but with same setback. i can say it affected my steering (differant not better or worse) and changed how quickly my boat planes but not much for overall speed. correct prop pitch has had much more affect than setback.