Jack Plate Options?

General Boats and Motors
1

I am looking into adding a jack plate to my 17 foot flats boat. I have a 70 HP 4 stroke Yamaha. I’d like the option to adding a power pole later.

Anyone have suggestions on brands and what to look out for? Is it a good idea to go with an integrated jack plate/power pole mount or is it better to have them separate? Is it necessary to add another battery or can I run everything on the motor starting battery?

Any help would be appreciated.

2

In my search for my 16’ flats boat, weight was the big issue for me, and most power plates are expensive and heavy…and most of the powered options are 6" setback, which sometimes is too much for a flats boat.

I went with an Atlas Micro Jacker…actually installed it yesterday. Seems to be a very well made piece, and only 4" of setback and 20 pounds…and best part is there is no external pump or anything to mount, it’s all self-contained.

Good luck!

Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat

3

I have the Atlas, full size in an 8" setback. Great unit. They make it down to a 4". All sizes come with mounting patterns on it for a power pole. I’d go with the Atlas again. It’s not heavy. I think 30# maybe. It’s not the weight of the plate that hurts the boat. It’s the motor hanging further back that pulls the transom in the water. Get as little as you need for performance, which is why you see most flats boats with only 4".

“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson

Wilderness Ride 115

4

sea star jack plate

www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING

5

Love my atlas wouldn’t own another boat without it.

6
quote:
Originally posted by chris V

sea star jack plate

www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING

In your opinion, what makes the old detwiolr plates superior? I’ve always thought they were the most expensive and didn’t offer as much lifting range. I think just over 5". The Atlas is 7" and only paid about $850 for mine and has been trouble free for about 4 years. The Bobs machine plates are really nice as well, but cost a bit more at the time. Atlas and Bobs may be similarly priced now.

“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson

Wilderness Ride 115

7

Thanks everyone.

Leadenwahboy,

What do I need to know about setback? How do you determine what is acceptable?

8
quote:
Originally posted by FlickerFisher

Thanks everyone.

Leadenwahboy,

What do I need to know about setback? How do you determine what is acceptable?

In my opinion, on a small boat, adding the least amount possible is ideal. You’re basically moving the weight aft hanging BEHIND the transom instead of on it. This is going to make the stern ride lower in the water the more you go.

For me, it was about weight and not wanting to move the center of gravity too far aft. The Micro Jacker met my requirements for a lightweight (relatively speaking) system with only 4" of setback.

But of course, I’m no authority…I simply did some googling, and asked people with similar setups…the consensus was in my little boat that the minimum setback was ideal.

Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat

9

Just a thought, but that 4" setback probably significantly improves the return from a sonar as well, no? Its often a problem on smaller boats.

2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com

10
quote:
Originally posted by Optiker

Just a thought, but that 4" setback probably significantly improves the return from a sonar as well, no? Its often a problem on smaller boats.

2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com

It should help, yes. But my new Simrad ducer is about 6" long, so I’m not sure how much I’ll see. But, yes, limiting disturbance back there around ducer helps tremendously.

Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat

11
quote:
Originally posted by Geronimo
quote:
Originally posted by chris V

sea star jack plate

www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING

In your opinion, what makes the old detwiolr plates superior? I’ve always thought they were the most expensive and didn’t offer as much lifting range. I think just over 5". The Atlas is 7" and only paid about $850 for mine and has been trouble free for about 4 years. The Bobs machine plates are really nice as well, but cost a bit more at the time. Atlas and Bobs may be similarly priced now.

“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson

Wilderness Ride 115

build quality, customer support, design, and available accessories, like powerpole adapters. doesn't mean other stuff isn't great as well

www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING

12

10-4.

To the OP, just be aware that the standard power pole mounts can bolt right up to any Bob’s and Atlas jack without any additional adapters. The Seastar requires you to buy another adapter in addition to the standard PP side bracket. Also, on the Seastar you can only mount it to a 6" and larger setback.

If the Atlas is good enough to be standard equipment on Ranger boats, it’s good enough for me.

“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson

Wilderness Ride 115

13

Thanks for all the help everyone. Looks like it’s hard to go wrong w/ the Atlas Micro Jacker.

Geronimo & Leadenwahboy,

How does the power pole mount to the micro jacker? Looking at the pics on line it looks like there’s not much room for adding the shallow water anchor.

14
quote:
Originally posted by FlickerFisher

Thanks for all the help everyone. Looks like it’s hard to go wrong w/ the Atlas Micro Jacker.

Geronimo & Leadenwahboy,

How does the power pole mount to the micro jacker? Looking at the pics on line it looks like there’s not much room for adding the shallow water anchor.

I’m not going to run a PP, so I have not investigated it at all. Sorry…

Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat

15

Thanks Leadenwahboy. Where did you buy yours? Best price I’ve seen on line is $745 at Bass Pro.

16

btw… I was just looking through your Bentz Craft restoration thread. Looks great. Wow, what a job.

17
quote:
Originally posted by FlickerFisher

Thanks Leadenwahboy. Where did you buy yours? Best price I’ve seen on line is $745 at Bass Pro.

Mine came from Bass Pro as well…

Thanks for the comments on the Bentz-Craft…just need to get it done!

Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat

18

On the microjacker, you can’t. You need the 4" Atlas in order to mount the PP to the side.
There are predrilled holes behind the Atlas stickers.

“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson

Wilderness Ride 115