What could I legitimately expect to gain in speed if I add a 8 inch jack plate and I can't afford hydraulic so manual has to do. And please don't say get a bigger engine or bigger boat. That's not an option both me and my partner have new 18ft boats mine has a evinrude etec 150 2 stroke he has a Mercury 150 4 stroke. My top end speed is higher than his but the boat lengths are great for how we fish and the little spots we shove them into to catch fish so big just didn't fit our style. Them boats may get you there but it still takes a fishermen to catch them. Lol sorry I had to cause someone is gonna say something to the fact of my big boat this or that. Well I'm proud of my boat and my partners boats we went through hell ( Iraq and Afghanistan ) to get them so it does twist your stomach in knots when people bash ya.

And yes big waves suck butt with a shorter hull but that's life. Trying to squeeze out a few more mph so on flighted times we aren't getting passed like crazy. GPS I can hit 62 by myself with a light load and half tank. But once we tourney load and add an angler 58-59 is pushing it

Positive feedback be appreciated.

Hey Hookset, I had the same question years ago when I had my 18ft Ranger with a 150 Marnier. The issue was the cables were not long enough to compensate for the extra length the jackplate added. I could reach 68mph by myself and easily 65mph with two people. Hope this helps a little.

Adam, if you are at 58-59, I would think adding an 8 inch JP and getting your prop to pad right will definitely get you somewhere between 2-5 MPH depending on conditions and tourney load. It will not be a magic bullet and bump you up to 69 MPH, but it will make you faster. I would also suggest calling Steve at SCP and discussing with him. He is always quick to help with advice and make suggestions. He is a great guy.

I can't help, but thanks for your service!

Probably the best advice you'll get!

There are a couple of ways you can help yourself without spending a lot on a jackplate.

Get light. There aren't too many lakes in Texas you need every gallon of gas your boat will hold to fish a tournament. Don't risk it, but don't max out your gas when you know you're only going to burn 10-15 gallons that day. Re think what you really need in the boat on tournament day. If you've figured 'em out in practice, you probably can eliminate a lot of weight by getting rid of some baits. Re position the weight in your boat. Ike had a pretty good article on Bassmaster about putting all the light stuff up front and the heavy stuff in the back.

Talk to Steve at Steve's Custom Props and get your prop done by him. He added about 3 mph top end to mine, plus hole shot and handling got better.

I would bet a prop re work and looking hard at your weight would get you a 3-4 mph more at lot less cost than a jackplate.

And... thanks for your service!

Call Steve and do whatever he recommends. If will be the best performance advise you will get. Plus he can build you a jackpot or get you the prop you need.

Thanks everyone. Yes I have a very light load on my boat pre fishing and tourney. I learned last year I only needed what worked in practice and nothing more. But i also learned I have way to much stuff I never use...

I'll give Steve the prop man a call.

Been there and done this but with a 17 foot Ranger wearing a 115. A DEFINATE YES!!!!Do it. Even with the smaller set up I could see a difference, top end picked up about 2 mph and the best part was the improvement in hole shot. It felt like I bolted another 50 horsepower to my transom. The fuel savings alone will be worth the investment. I didn't have to change out anything in my application but I did add a water pressure gauge to help me on setting the motor height. If you are in the NETX region I recommend letting these guys do the install and setup.........
http://www.stevescustomprops.com/
The only other thing I wish I would have done was change or have the prop worked. I was running a 13" x 19" on that boat and running about 5500rpm on the top end without the jack plate. With the plate I was about 5700 to 5800 RPMs. I often wondered what it would do with a 13" x 20" set up.

great info thanks TFF appreciate the love!

The thing I like about Steve is he isn't going to give you advice based on him making a sale. After talking through my setup, he advised me to adjust my jackplate, run the boat, then get back with him with my prop to pad height, jack plate size, speed achieved at WOT, and RPM's at WOT. I had ideas of needing a new prop, but after giving him that information, he just said "no need to buy a new expensive prop, I can just work the one you have for much less and you will achieve what you're trying to achieve." In my book, that's rare honesty these days from a guy running his own business, trying to make a living. I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Having to add longer shift/throttle/steering cables in the deal, you should look at getting your prop worked/tuned first. This might make the difference your looking for.

Hookset I forgot to mention the main reason I did this was hole shot issues not speed, but you will get both. I was doing a lot of team tournaments when I had the aforementioned 115 hp powered Ranger. When we left the launch area with a full load of fuel, our gear and both of us on board, my partner would have to go lay down on the front deck so I could get on plane until we burned off some fuel. After the jack plate install with the same load by the time I had the throttle wide open it was nearly on the pad already and on plane in just a very few seconds. Ifishtoo recommended getting the prop looked at first. Steve's can do this as well. They are also the MFG for Hydro Dynamics jack plates which is what I used on my Ranger, a mechanical adjust unit which not only gave me up and down adjustment but the ability to tweak the trim angle further in as well, I think it was an extra 4 degrees. I believe it was EZ lift unit in 6 inch I used.............I tucked the motor in as far as I could and the trim on your motor will allow you to compensate for it on the other end...........

Any idea what prop and full throttle rpms your running?

I'd have to look at the prop but I haven't messed with the engine so just the one that came on my evinrude 150 etec. I'll have to take it out and go full on to see RPMs but I'm pretty sure I'm at 5500rpms...

Might have to give Steve a call for re working from the sound of it after having to get a new steering cable and shifter cable I may be to deep on the pocket if re working the prop could give me the 2-3 mph I'm looking for. Not looking to be a rocket I know I bought a 150. And the hole shot is perfect with a tourney load and extra angler. Just lookin at top end speed with flighted starts I prefer to only be passed by one or two instead of tbe 5-6 at the moment.

Hydrodynamics jack plate would be a good one.