To Jack Plate or not to Jack Plate?

[Banjomo]

Hey Folks,
I have a 1998 Triton TR-17 with 1998 Merc 115. The hull on the TR-17 does not have a "pad" and was wondering if say a 5 1/2" CMC Manual jack plate would do it any good or not??? I would like to get a little more top end if i could..and also would there have to be any modifications made ie steering cables, holes in transom ect...if I add the jack plate?
Thanks,
Mo

 

[Chris1956]

Re: To Jack Plate or not to Jack Plate?

Mo, Adding a Jackplate allows you to raise the engine, to reduce drag and increase speed. It will probably raise top speed, althought it is hard to say how much. What kind of performance do you get now? Set her to max trim and get a good max RPM and GPS Speed and post them. We can figure the prop slip and perhaps recommend a jackplate.

 

[Banjomo]

Re: To Jack Plate or not to Jack Plate?

All Speeds were checked with gps at WOT...Back in February when I purchased the boat, when the air was still cooler, It had a 4 blade Trophy 21" prop that ran 45 mph at 4900 rpm loaded. That was too much prop! I purchased a 19" Solas Titan 3 blade stainless and my speed went up to 49 mph @ 5400 rpms and actually hit the rev limiter..my Mercury Service manual sets the rpm range at 5000-5250 rpms for my engine. I then purchased a 3 blade Laser II 20" and it gave the boat excellent bow lift but it too was hitting the rev limiter at 47 mph but the temperature outside had really started heating up which accounts for the slower speed. I sent the Laser II 20" of to Murphy?s Prop Shop in VA and had it repitched to a 21" and now at WOT the rpms are right on the money at 5250 again running 47 mph WOT and 2 people with outside air temp at around 90 degrees.