I bought a Ranger RB190 aluminum center console last year that came with a hydraulic setback plate. It’s got a 115 SHO. I haven’t really messed with the jack plate height. I generally run with it all the way down and adjust trim as needed. I might raise the jack plate temporarily in shallow water/around stumps, but have never tried to adjust it to improve performance. With the plate all the way down it tops out at 48-49, which seems pretty good for a 115.

How are you supposed to use the jack plate? Do you guys adjust the height to improve performance, or just to run shallow?

You should raise it when on WOT to find your optimum performance point without loosing water pressure. At the optimum point boat will handle better, steer more easy and burn less fuel.

Where do people typically mount the trim switch for their jack plate?

Blinker style on steering column

Do you have to decrease engine trim when you raise the jack plate at WOT?

That all depends on how deep you are running the lower unit to begin with. If your prop's running depth is too deep where you have it set, you'll probably not have to touch the trim. When you are hanging on the upper limit of prop running depth, you may not be able to trim out as much because you'd enter a blow-out more readily.

ok.. let me help you.. if you do start raising the plate while on plane.. just remember one thing.. .if you get the motor too high, your
gonna blow the prop out and loose control of the boat.

take the same kind of measurement as if it were a manual plate. level boat, level engine. raise the plate to where the prop shaft is
around 3.5" below pad and mark the tape gauge on the motor plate (or somewhere easy for you to see).
leave the plate there and make a run (not moving the plate) then stop and raise the engine 1/4 to 1/2 inch and do it again. your looking for
the best speed, hole shot and handling with the correct max rpms. once you achieve that.. re mark the plate. (that's your topend engine location).

remember... any boat can throw you out , no matter how fast or slow you think is safe. i've seen it all. be careful, and take your time with the setup.

just because it's a hydraulic plate doesn't mean your going to be faster. it does allow you to idle into shallow water with the touch of a switch.

Listen to what Steve says. I had a TnT limiter go out on my Laser. Fortunately the water was fairly calm. Before I realized what happened I was doing a walk on the transom with the boat at a 45 degree angle. Definitely one of those were I thought I might have to jump in the lake and rinse off.

What Steve said...…. once I tested mine, I found the best height to leave it most of the time. I only move my plate when shallow, but return it to my marked height and leave it there always unless needed to move.

Steve is the best in the business with an enormous amount of experience.

Thanks for all the replies. 👍