Trying to figure out what height is most optimum. This is my first hyd jackplate and am having trouble getting it set for good speed. Was hoping someone else was running this set up and could tell me where they are running theirs. I see boat flying across the water with a giant rooster tail and looks like they are carrying pretty good speed. I am only getting 51 mph at top speed without adjusting trim. Seems to matter what height I am running the jack plate to keep the engine from over heating. Any help would be appreciated.

I don’t think someone can just say the answer. I’d suggest you get someone that has a similar boat to take you out for driving lessons. That boat should easily be a 70’s+ boat. But, there are a lot of variables going on. Trim, height, weight distribution, etc will all have a huge effect on speed and handling.

This is the way I run a hydric jack plate. I never looked at any setting on the gauges. I always kept an eye on water pressure to make sure the motor was getting the water needed. Take off with the plate at a low setting so the boat gets up and out of the hole like you want it to; although it does not have to be all the way planted to the bottom. The trim of the motor is all the way down on take off.

Once the boat is on plane and running tilt the motor trim all the way up as you would normally do with a fixed jack plate. Now begin to bump the hyd. jack plate UP. When it gets to the Sweet Spot the boat will lift and take off. This is not a fine line; as you will definitely feel the boat break loose from the water's surface. Altitude, weather conditions and surface waves will all make this setting at a different height. Control the bow for cutting the waves with the trim.

Go over to bass boat central and get on the Skeeter owners page, there should be someone there to get you headed in the right direction, there is also a set ups page there.

what prop? have you measured prop to pad while all the way down, standard is about 3.5" below pad then go up till speed or water pressure drop and go back a bump or so and you should be there.

there is no one setting for all similar hulls, weitght, prop, engine etc. all make it different

I run mine about 2.5 to 3" on the yellow tape.

There is a serious setup issue or motor issue if you are only getting 51mph at WOT.

I believe it says he's not trimming the motor up for some reason?

I reread and noticed that.

Dont worry about a GIANT rooster tail. I see guys running Fork all the time that look like absolute idiots cause they have a rooster tail about 2 stories high. I was always told your rooster tail should never be as tall as your motor. Mine throws one about 2 ft tall. And thats with me going a little over 70.

Not to dog you buddy but it amazes me that folks buy boats like this with no prior experience with a high performance rig. Sounds like someone needs to teach you how to use the jackplate and the trim switch.

The nice thing about hydraulic plates is that you can stick the motor deep in the water for running thru the rough stuff or when you need to fly the hull with 3 guys & a heavy load. Then if you are solo you can jack the motor up and gain a bunch of top speed by reducing drag of the lower unit.

Shoot me a PM and I will meet you at the lake and show you how to adjust it. You'll owe me a cheeseburger.

Your boat was throwing a nice one that day I went by you like you were tied to a tree....

Yeah yeah yeah. There only about 2 maybe 3 boat brands that couldve beat me to that side of the lake that morning. You happen to be in one of them. That still makes me laugh. Especially how you guys just waved at us!

Best thing to do is spend time on the water. Leave the rods in the rod locker and go driving. Youll get it.

Can you tell I'm working from home & bored to death?!?