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 AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL 2006 ISSUE
For years, serious shallow water boaters have searched for new ways to
achieve optimal performance. Most recently, transom mounted jack plates
seem to be generating the greatest deal of interest amongst these same
backcountry skiff and bay boat owners. The increasing popularity of
these nifty devices, which were conceived to hydraulically lift and
lower your outboard engine, can be accredited to faster hole shots,
higher top-end speeds, and new opportunities to reach distant shallows
previously inaccessible.
To thoroughly understand the benefits of having the ability to vertically alter your prop’s position, one must keep in mind that in the vast majority of cases, your boat and engine configuration was initially setup by a dealer. And although boat dealerships offer outstanding personalized service, in reality they can’t afford to spend a great deal of time on the water with each and every buyer experimenting with different settings to achieve maximum performance from your particular set-up, not to mention you really can’t tweak a new engine to its fullest until a few hours beyond the initial break-in period.
Usually, the technicians set the boat and motor up by following the manufacturer’s suggested settings, and then it’s up to you to do the rest. The ‘average’ specs please about 90 percent of the boating community about 90 percent of the time, which in all reality is as much as the dealer can do.
You might think that with all the technical data available from decades of outboard engine use, leading manufacturers would be able to precisely pinpoint perfect specifications right out of the box. They actually have – which are the ‘average’ settings we just discussed. Nonetheless, every boat model is different and every outboard engine and propeller has varying specifications. Also take into consideration that all of us fish, load and operate our rigs differently. The end result is that it’s easy to conclude that the ‘average’ set-up can’t possibly be the pinnacle of peak performance for your particular machine.
Before we go any further, I want to remind you that no boat should be equipped with an outboard engine in excess of the maximum recommended horsepower. The power rating is clearly displayed on the boat’s rating plate which is usually affixed to the transom. That’s rule number one!
Lately, many professional guides and serious shallow water anglers have turned to transom mounted jack plates in an effort to get the most bang for their buck. Regardless, if you’re the proud owner of a brand new technical poling skiff, or have recently purchased a pre-owned versatile bay boat, every boater can benefit by utilizing a jack plate. With the push of a button, the operator can lift or lower the vertical height of the engine for additional clearance in shallow water or for increased bite when back-bay conditions turn ugly.
Hydraulic jack plates provide the most flexibility, allowing simple adjustments of the prop’s position while on the move. One sincere word of caution; you can get yourself in a bit of a pickle by raising the engine too high while running at high speeds. If you raise the prop to a point where it loses its bite, which can occur when you fly cross another boat’s wake or oncoming wave, the bow may dig-in and you could spend the next few seconds in an uncontrollable spin. You’ll lose complete control of your vessel and the centrifugal force may even throw you out of the boat. So keep in mind; you can go high, but not too high.
With the ability to raise and lower the engine while underway, optimal prop position for the existing conditions can easily be achieved. Running across ultra-skinny flats, skiffs can attain inches of additional clearance while still keeping the prop in the water. Just as important, the less motor in the water, the faster the boat will go. The result is an increase in top-end speed and improved overall boat handling. And let’s not forget that since less of the engine is in the water, your outboard works less to maintain speed because of decreased drag. This translates into improved fuel economy and longer engine life. Vertically raising the engine also makes it easier to steer, helps avoid damaging prop scars, and doesn't churn up the water nearly as much.
When conditions are less than favorable, bay boats will find lowering the outboard’s position by just a few inches provides the propeller a greater bite, thus eliminating cavitation. In the lowest position, a jack plate can actually tuck the prop completely under the boat, providing the greatest level of leverage during take off. Once the boat is up on plane, the prop height can be adjusted in tandem with the outboard’s trim function to provide maximum speed and exceptional stability in rough water. In any case, varying loads, existing sea conditions, and different speeds will dictate exactly where the prop should be positioned to achieve the best overall performance. With a hydraulic jack plate, you will have the ability to make these minute changes via a remote switch mounted on the dash while cruising at full speed.
The most popular jack plates have at least five inches of engine set-back. The set-back keeps the prop away from the transom and away from turbulent water. Cleaner water allows better grip, again, eliminating prop slippage. The set back also helps get the bow up while using less trim. The less an engine has to be trimmed, the more efficiently it pushes a boat through the water. For extremists, semi-custom jack plates are available with as much as 10 inches of set-back.
If you do not want to spend the bucks for a remotely operated unit, you do have the option of purchasing a manual jack plate for less than half the cost of the hydraulic type. While a manual jack plate will not provide the convenience of adjusting vertical engine height while on the move, you can still fine-tune the engine’s vertical position to the most desirable height for your particular needs. Adjustments can be made at the ramp or while out on the water from inside or outside the boat with the use of a wrench. Without a jack plate, engines bolted to the transom provide very little flexibility as it’s next to impossible for most of us to remove the outboard motor from the boat and remount it higher or lower every time we want to make a change.
Overall, the long list of benefits that come along with installing a jack plate, hydraulic or manual, greatly outweigh the investment. Yes, tweaking the prop’s position will take a little getting used to, but when you find yourself catching quality fish in far backcountry waters you could never reach before, while at the same time saving money at the fuel pump, you’ll wonder how you made it this far in your shallow water fishing career without a jack plate.
Trick your rig with a transom jack
(Check marks next to each)
Improves clearance in shallow water
Improves overall top-end speed
Improves engine fuel economy
Reduces outboard motor downtime
Improves boat handling in all sea conditions
Allows motor to be tilted completely out of the water
Eliminates the need for lower unit anti-fouling paint
Rick Presley is the V.P. of Marketing for the Cook Mfg. Corp., builders of top quality jack plates for over XX years.For comments, questions, or concerns, contact Rick at 1-800-654-3697
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