Do I need to adjust my Jackplate?

[twopars]

I just bought a 2002 Nitro NX882 with a Mercury 150 Optimax on it. I took it out for the first time today. At slow speeds before it comes up on plane the engine seems low in the water. If I accelerate very slowly the nose comes up and the bottom of the engine cowling is at water level. If I give it the gas it pops up on plane and is level and smooth as silk. It's just off plane that I wonder about. My 7" jackplate has three more holes left to raise the engine. Should I ask the dealer to raise the engine or is this low in the water slow speed performance normal? Ive always owned low power aluminum boats. This is my first glass boat.

 

[JB]

Re: Do I need to adjust my Jackplate?

Howdy, Twopars. <br /><br />Bassrockets are not designed or powered for low speed operation. They are designed and powered to go FAST or idle, nothing between.<br /><br />Your boat is behaving normally.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[twopars]

Re: Do I need to adjust my Jackplate?

Thanks J.B. I appreciate the input. I didn't realize that there would be such a difference between a johnboat and a faster fiberglass rig, but I'm learning

 

[Ranger354]

Re: Do I need to adjust my Jackplate?

Twopars,<br /><br />Remember the water level when you are slowing down also. Nothing like coming out of the throttle to fast and filling the back or your boat with water. When I shut her down I almost always rack her back, and when she sits down in the water give her just a little nudge with the throttle to keep the water from coming over the back. Then take her back to idle.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Do I need to adjust my Jackplate?

twopars, you might also ck out http://www.bassboatcentral.com and post your questions to the nitro owners there. there are alot of tips on jackplates there too.

 

[legend602]

Re: Do I need to adjust my Jackplate?

I've got a 2001 Nitro NX 882 with a Merc 150HP XR6 engine. When I bought it (2.5weeks ago, used) it pulled REALLY hard to the right. I had to drop the engine down 2 notches. Now the engine is sitting really low to the water, but it doesn't pull at ALL, so I would say your engine is normal.<br /><br />Also, My engine didn't come with the trim tab/fin on it. The fin between the cavitation plate and the prop. It just had a round piece of alluminum to put in there called an "Annode". I had to buy a trim tab for it. I'm just curious if yours came with one....<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Mike Carlson

 

[twopars]

Re: Do I need to adjust my Jackplate?

Mike, No my engine didn"t come with a trim tab either. It has the annode that yours has but no trim tab. When you installed your trimtab did you notice any differenc in performance? If so where did you get the proper trim tab for that engine and was it easy to install? I've gotten used to the boat now and the handling charecteristics are getting very comfortable for me. The boat fits like an old shoe now. What's your top speed with the XR6? I've had the Optimax to 65mph but it wasn't at full rpm yet. I don't know if I didn't have the boat trimmed exactly right or that the 23in pitch Tempest prop isn't exactly right but that's fast enough for me for now. Thanks, Paul

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Do I need to adjust my Jackplate?

If your running a cupped prop and your engine is set up to run the top part of the prop OUT of the water, trim tab will have NO effect. Lowering your motor if it has been previously set up to run with the prop partialy out of the water will kill about 5 mph or more and could slow down hole shots unless you reprop......If feed back in the stearing is a problem..switch to a hydralic no feedback system.