BigBendFishing.Net

getting a jackplate on the 21 Sea Pro Bay Boat for my B-Day... any recommendations on manufacturer?
thanks all

I don't know how to compare to other brands, but I have had no trouble with my 5-year-old TH Marine Hydrojacker on 22-ft Panga CC. I guess the pitch is that all the hydraulic gizmo is built into the plate assembly; no separate hydraulic pump to mount or hoses to run.

I have a cmc and had it for 10 years now no trouble sence Porter marine put the trim switches under the motor cowleing it been great

I've always heard great things about Bob's.

I second Bob's Machine Shop. I grew up in Tampa down the road from his shop. He was making high performance parts for the bass boat crowd long before anybody else ever heard of him.
A couple of other suggestions and then I will mind my own business - I had a Sea Pro SV-2100 for 8 yrs, then sold it to another NFGFC member. If you don't have a set of hydraulic trim tabs, you may want to install them instead of the jack plate. I put a set of Bennetts on my Sea Pro and it improved the shallow water handling and offshore ride 100 percent.

If you decide to go ahead with the jack plat install, check into a low water pick up too. It's too easy to raise that jack plat up and not hear the overheat buzzer on your outboard if it gets short on water.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
- Steve Stinson

Thnx all

Thanks steve, its been a toss up between the plate and a power pole, since the offshore has gotten so stringent, im gonna get back inshore more... haven't given the tabs much thought but will for sure now given your history and experience, and the cost.... my flats boat had Lencos, but I have heard nothing but good about Bennett's... more to think about!

I run a Detwiler. Mine has been trouble free as I believe TC's has been as well.

http://www.detwilerjackplates.com/products.htm

Reel Cowboy wrote:I've always heard great things about Bob's.

Yep

X3 on a Bob's Jackplate......make sure to add a water pressure guage

I run a Bobs Flats Jack with a 200 yamaha on it and its been great. I couldnt go where I do without it.

Bob's is a very good jack plate. But it requires mounting a pump in the boat. No problem if you have the room for a pump. I had a Bob's Flats Jack on my last boat. The plate was great but the pump took up a lot of room. If you're considering trim tabs, they also require mounting a pump. Bob's uses the same pump as Lenco trim tabs. A consideration would be do you have room in your sump for two pumps.

I'm running a Detweiler jack plate on my current boat. I'm very pleased with it. It is self contained and is easily serviced, to include grease fittings you can actually get to. Another very good self contained plate is the Atlas hydraulic jack plate. It is also self contained. I've never owned any of the other brands so I can't comment on them.

I'll 2X the comment about a water pressure gauge. I won't run my boats without one for several reasons.

what tc said

I have had the CMC for the last year or so and I am satisfied with it. I like not having to mount the pump in an area that I use for storage.
OD

HEY DON, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN HIDEN. I KNOW THE WEATHER HAS BEEN ON THE BAD SIDE FOR A LONG TIME NOW AND YOU PROBABLY HAVEN'T BEEN FISHIN TOO MANY TIMES. I THINK I WILL BE ABEL TO GO BEFORE LONG,, MY STRENGTH IS BUILDING DAY BY DAY, MAN I SURE NEED TO GET OUT ON THE GULF SOON.
PA THE OLD MAN

Earl, this weather has kept me on the hill since just after New Year's, hopefully it'll warm up soon then I'll be back aggravating the trout. I hope you can get on the water soon; it'll do you good!
D