What exactly is the pad of the boat

[James P]

I've owned a boat since the early 70's but I've only had a boat with any size since last spring. My boat is a Ranger 375v with a 150xr6 Merc. This motor/boat has a jack plate that I understand will adjust to raise or lower the engine. I read in forums about the prop being a certain distance below the pad. Is the pad the bottom of the transom or the very bottom of the boat where the drain holes are?

If the pad is the very bottom of the boat would a person put a straightedge on it and then measure that distance from the prop shaft?

What might be the "middle of the road distance" for performance?

 

[flashback]

Re: What exactly is the pad of the boat

hi James, the pad is an area of the hull on the bottom that is at the stern..it is not generally flat so a straight edge probably would not be very accurate. but each manufacturer has his own design, it is made to help the boat plane..I know they put them on bass boats, don't know about the other type tho...

 

[cgBosun3]

Re: What exactly is the pad of the boat

On your Ranger, the pad is the small flat bottom near the transom. It makes the boat ride like a water ski, a litle higher in the water. Given that you have an older engine, I doubt yours has the lower water pickup. Raising your engine will increase your speed slightly, but too high and the engine can't get enough cooling water. The experts say to test your settings using a water pressure gauge to measure cooling water pressure. Too much work for me for 2 mph, max.

 

[James P]

Re: What exactly is the pad of the boat

Thanks guys
My boat is an 84 and the engine is a 2001. I believe the "too much work for a 2mph gain" answer is what I needed to hear. I have about an inch and a half left on the jack plate to raise the engine and it seems to do fine where it's at. Water pickup is good and there seems to be no cavitation while cornering. I'm just going to leave well enough alone! Thanks again for the replies. JP