Jack plate.....to buy or not to buy???

[Rob LaMoy]

OK, for those of you who will NOT rip on my Ranger (which obviously exlcudes mini!).....

I am VERY please with the performance of my rig. 18'9", with a 175 efi on the back. Holeshot is better than any boat I've been in...basically there is none, it's OUT as soon as you punch it, and that's with a 3 blade prop. Top end is 67-69 mph on the GPS depending on load. It is a great rough water ride for the size. But I'm not fooling myself, it still doesn't ride like a 19+ or 20+ footer. My only reason for considering a plate is to get a little more length (story of my life) and get a little more ride out of it. Will a plate do that or is it a waste. I have a perfect set up right now and don't want to mess with it, unless I can keep my holeshot, top end, AND gain a little more ride. I seem to think any changes might actually throw things the other way. Any ideas???

 

[C C]

Rob, Wow that boat flys!!! I recall reading a good thread on this topic on the BBC board in the Ranger group. Might be worth a look.



Cass

 

[Jim B]

I dont think a plate will help the ride much. I have had boats with and wothout platesand as far as ride goes it dosent make much difference in my opinion. The plate can help top and and holeshot depending up how its setup. If your truly getting almost 70 it soulds like the setup is perfect, i wouldnt mess with it. I assume you have a 25 pitch prop? what kind of rpm are you turning?



Dont take this the wrong way, im not ripping on Ranger but i have never been impressed with the way any Ranger rides. I have been in them all from 17 to 21 feet and i have been beaten up every time the water got rough. its just he way they design thier hulls with not a lot of v in the front and not a lot of lift. They are a great fishing platform but i dint like the ride. I have a fishing buddy who has a 519vs and my 882 will outride it every time, i have driven both in rough water. Every Ranger i have ever been im dosent get a lot of lift and runs kind of flat and i think that hurts the ride. With my nitro i can trim in a bunch and get the hull breaking the water, every Ranger i have ever driven if you do that your going to spear a wave(not fun), so more trim is needed and they slap because of it.

 

[fatrap]

Rob

I get all these spam emails on pills to lenghten my member. Maybe you can order some and put them in the livewell with some water. Could grow the hull a couple inches. Then toss in some Viagra to stiffen the hull.LOL

fatrap

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Jim, I'm running about 200 rpm's below redline at WOT. For the life of me, I cannot recall my prop pitch or diameter, or the actual RPM's. I want to say 5800? Been so long since I've driven the boat, I can't even recall where the steering wheel is.....I DO have one right???? Durn fever. LOL

 

[Staci Matheis]

LOL @ Fatrap!

Now THAT'S a plan!

 

[gone bye bye]

I dont think you are going to see significant changes in ride with a plate. I would say learn how to drive it...lol



Mini

 

[Dan J.]

A 4" hydraulic would give you a little more top end (1-3mph), if you have the RPM's to give it. Jacking it out would be pointless, except to give a "bigger boat" ride. It's got enough offset. If your happy with the arrangement now, spend the money getting your prop trimmed and tuned. You will notice all around improvement.

 

[gone bye bye]

Rob do you have a HotFoot on that rig?



Mini

 

[Buzz Bouvier]

Mini, yes Robbie has a Hotfoot on his Ranger.



Buzz

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Yeah, and I can't believe I went all this time without one. It makes running rough water 100 times easier. That and the pro trim on the column. I DO know how to drive it miniman! LOL But any boat 19' or under in 3' chop gets beat up a little. This all until I get my 521, THEN I'll show you a sweet ride. If I never fished south or other water, the 522 with a plate and a 300 HPDI would be the ultimate Champlain/great lakes bass boat.



Yeah, the hot foot, trim at the wheel and hydraulic steering have really spoiled me compared to my old TF. And Buzz's 896 didn't have a hotfoot either. Nice to have both hands on the wheel at WOT. I will never own another boat without those options.

 

[Jim B]

Rob, i have been beat up on Champlain before in a 521.

If you want the ultimate rough water bassboat you need one of these....

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Ugh, what is that hanging off the back??? LOL I have heard that Champion makes the best rough water ride.

 

[Bill Corrigal]

I'm with Jim B!

 

[Jim B]

Well Rob, one would just havo to unbolt that rude and let it sink to the bottom of the lake and replace it with a merc. LOL





Seriously though i have a rude on my last boat and i would buy another in a heartbeat. Champion does have the best rough water ride bar none, a 187 champ outrides mose 20' bassboats out there.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

I have heard from a few folks that the new HO's are top shelf and scream. Even heard that from a few Merc guys...go figure.

 

[Jon Puhalski]

Rob, my brother got a 2003 521VS Nascar Extreme with a 'Rude 225 HO that's up for sale this year. This boats got every bell and whistle you can think of. Gorgeous boat also with the checkered seats, embroidered carpet and even flames!

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Jon, I saw your name in Bassin Times last month! I'm not in the market for a new boat yet. Still pumping money into the house. And though I said I heard good things about Rudes.....I still wouldn't own one! LOL My last one was my LAST one!