For those with Hydro Jack Plates.

This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 1 month ago by DDittrich.basscatowners.

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May 13, 2009 at 1:34 pm #270373

DDittrich.basscatowners
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For those of you with Hydro jack plates.. How do you know when you have it at the right height? After reading a lot of posts on here, it sounds like having the motor 1/2″ higher or lower makes a world of difference? Here in Minnesota we dont have a ton of huge lakes, for my area, my longest run may be 10 mins, and rarely ever go WOT unless in a tournament. To be honest I dont even know what my top end speed is. So, my question is, if you do have a hydro jack plate, how do you know your getting the best performance and have your eng at the right height? This is my first boat with a Hydro plate, and my only other boat that had a plate was set up for me so I have never had to measure eng height or anything.. Thanks

May 13, 2009 at 1:37 pm #270374

DDittrich.basscatowners
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Also, for got to post.. I have a 07 Puma With Merc Opti Pro XS. the previous owner said it would go 68-72.. I have had it to 76 but it still had more.. just got a little too slippery(i have to learn how to drive it still)

May 13, 2009 at 2:11 pm #270375

Shap from La
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I dont have a hydraulic plate, but, Ill take a shot. Youll know your at the correct height by the feel of your steering. If you have the plate too high your steering will be tight and have tourque on it. Lower it until your steering frees up and becomes neutral. Then you know your at the correct height. This will be your best all around performance height. Maybe not your absolute fastest, but, best all around. One of the more experienced folks here will chime in with how they do it. Phil, and Judd for sure have alot of experience with the hydraulic plates and many others can surely point you in the right direction. I have always had manual plates on my boats. I spent 6 years trying to get it to go as fast as possible while BCB always suggested setting up by steering tourque. I finally listened and enjoy my setup much more now. Just hard headed young and dumb I guess. The beauty of the Hydraulic plate is that you can adjust it each time out for specific loads and water conditions. Friends of mine who have them love them, especially when idling around in very shallow water and for dropping it down low in the rough stuff. Not too many use them that much when normal running. Good luck to you. Chris Coupel Paulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.

May 13, 2009 at 2:36 pm #270376

Tideman
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DEITZ,,,THATS NOT THE PROXS…..THATS THE SURE NUF BADBOY XS… THAT ONE IS A MAN……….ROBIN

May 13, 2009 at 2:48 pm #270377

DDittrich.basscatowners
Participant

Thanks Tide.. I knew it said “built by merc racing on it.. but thought it was still the Opti XS. I know it sounds sexy when she is growling.

May 13, 2009 at 2:52 pm #270378

DDittrich.basscatowners
Participant

Thanks for the Reply shap.. I have hydrolic steering, so I dont feel a ton of tourque ever. I will try to pay more attention to that though.

May 13, 2009 at 3:05 pm #270379

Mark5795
Participant

in my area is he will drop the motor all the way down for take off and he uses the right and left turn signal type switches for trim and JP height and will work them both as he runs through the power band. I think it is a skill thing where you look for the best bite for hoe shot then pull it all up to the optimum heights for speed and handling….

May 13, 2009 at 4:40 pm #270380

jignpig
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DDittrich wrote: Thanks Tide.. I knew it said “built by merc racing on it.. but thought it was still the Opti XS. I know it sounds sexy when she is growling. Tidemans right. I have a brother running that 250 XS. It is a BEAST…..it will take seat time to get the most out of it. I tried driving my brothers last fall, an 06 Cougar FTD…hit 78.4 with 3 people and tanks half full, all of his fishing gear still in the boat. That was the most I could do before backing out of it. His runs low 80s with two people and gear. Low mid 80s by himself with his gear. Not a stripped down lightweight with 5 gals of fuel either.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner

May 13, 2009 at 6:06 pm #270381

NELA COUGAR
Participant

D, I dont have a hydraulic plate but was wondering have you had any trouble with your XS? Glynn

May 13, 2009 at 6:32 pm #270382

DDittrich.basscatowners
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NELA- Only had the boat since last summer. Probably only had the boat out about 40 times.. but no, not one.. please dont jinx me.!. What have you heard?
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