Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Why do you use a jack plate? What are the advantages and any disadvantages?

rockymax wrote:Why do you use a jack plate? What are the advantages and any disadvantages?

I've read it allows you to run with your motor very shallow but still in a vertical position. So instead of trimming the motor on a pitch it raises the motor from the transom. Supposed to be the cats meow.

Less drag equal more speed also run in more shallow water. Disadvantage, not watching you water pressure gauge, potential for motor damage.

These are used for boats with poor setups. Either the motor is too big for the amount of flotation and the engine is too low or the engine is too high from too much flotation.

These let you adjust the height of the engine with respect to the transom and not just play with the angle of the propeller.

Before you buy one, make sure if you are getting one for too much flotation that you do not later decide to add things to the pontoon. Then the added weight will make the effect nothing.

with the adjustable transom on the crest pontoons, the ability to adjust to just about any engine, i'm thinking it would be a waste of money. i always thought it was more for boats with a stationary transom. ken