Never had one before, I would find the sweet spot on a manual plate and go with it, how do you use your hydraulic plate in different situations ? Thanks

I have one and usually run it in the sweet spot 90% of the time. If I'm fighting some big waves I'll drop it and trim down to keep the nose up so I don't stuff a wave.

Sweet spot most of the time. All the way down in big water, all the way up while idling in skinny water where I don't want to be dinging my prop.

I actually wear out jack plates. Use it like I do trim in my boat.

+1

Depending on boat loading and water depth my hydraulic goes up and down all the time. It usually ends up at a point where the �rooster tail� is no higher than the motor. That point varies with loading. In big waves I do whatever it takes to stay as comfortable as I can be for the conditions. Following Tiltman requires it at top level, trimmed up and praying, lots of praying.

When idling u can raise your motor, and not trim up which causes the boat to squat. When looking at hydraulic plates consider an all in one like the new Bobs Action Jac, especially if you run dual power poles.

I have a bobs 10" on my ranger and this is the first Hydro jack plate i have had. I love it and can;t imagine ever owning another boat without one. I run it in the sweet spot on plane and down all the way in rough water. I also use it the get my prop high when idling in skinny back waters.

Is it hard to find or get back to the sweet spot?

Mine has a digital readout ranging from 1-20. My sweet spot is 11. Would probably be hard to get back to without some sorta readout..

I just made and installed a simple and cheap ($5) gauge. It is more like a rain gauge than a digital. I do have to turn around to read it but it tells me exactly the height of my motor in relation to my pad. As others have said, different positions for different situations. Slow and long idle, rough water, all aroun general use, long runs, etc. All of these can be optimized at different heights. Some call it over the top, some can't do without. I know a couple of people who say they never touch it.

This is some great information!

Your boat must have a lot of lift if your trimming down to keep the nose up.

You can fine tune while running wide open and gain a few extra MPH, but always keep an eye on your water pressure......

Great info guys, really appreciate it.