What Jack Plate do you like the best and why?

**Spectre Powerboats** · 03-07-2016, 03:11 PM

I have been using Bob's and CMC manual and hydraulic jack plates for years. I now am getting calls on what would I recommend for the new 400R, so I wanted to get other people's opinions. I just ordered a Detweiler manual for the new Talon in here. Thanks. Todd

**Davidlake** · 03-07-2016, 03:19 PM

R&R Performance "Slidemaster" manual units. They are very well built and easy to adjust, but not the lightest.

**XstreamVking** · 03-07-2016, 04:03 PM

Porta brackets rule......Accept no substitute. Get the best the 1st time. Custom built one at a time.....

**Bodhi** · 03-07-2016, 04:18 PM

T-H Marine Z-lock 6" setback
I love maintenance free stuff....I'll take manual over hydro any day

**Donat** · 03-07-2016, 07:35 PM

I wouldn't recommend Detwiller. Own Hydraulic. side bolts come loose. I'm paranoid about bolts and nuts. So I check every thing that hangs of the transom before every outing. And one day. I saw them loose a bit. Just saying.

**Corona Mike** · 03-07-2016, 07:43 PM

Hydraulic... Bob's Machine Shop! Plus They Are Supporting Vendors On Here. They Most Likely Can Put Your Logo On The Plates Like They Do With Ranger, Maveric, ETC...

**panther150** · 03-07-2016, 07:45 PM

buy the extreme series for the 400r

**tux974** · 03-08-2016, 06:54 AM

For me.
1- Porta-Bracket.
2- Bob's.
Have bought and owned both, they are proven plates for many years with great company backup!

**JOSEPH SHULMAN** · 03-08-2016, 12:27 PM

I like the R+R jack-plate with a Teflon finish the CMC plates egg out after a couple years of hard use..

Click image for larger version.

Name: P1020299.jpg
Views: 149
Size: 406.7 KB
ID: 338823

**TooStroked** · 03-08-2016, 12:55 PM

I have a Bob's Jack Plate on my Progression and it's been absolutely bullet proof for 23 years. I will say that I am not a fan of any hydraulic plates though - especially in high performance applications or for heavy motors - based on both personal experience and that of my friends. My logic is this: For any hydraulic plate to move up and down, there must be clearance between the sliding parts. As the motor bangs around over time, this clearance will just get bigger. The bigger it gets, the harder the banging. See where this is going? If you don't keep an eye out for it, eventually it will surprise you in the worst possible way.

If you can get away with a fixed plate - and some cannot - your slides are locked together by a number of bolts to prevent movement. If you need to move it up or down, you loosen the bolts to allow movement, then re-tighten everything. This "lack of movement" turns out to be a very good thing over time. And as far as I can remember, I've never seen a hydraulic plate on a true race boat - probably for the reasons I mentioned above.

**Markus** · 03-08-2016, 01:04 PM

Had very good luck with the CMC stainless steel plate that was originally designed to take the weight of the OMC V8.

**JUPITER PULSARE** · 03-08-2016, 02:32 PM

I have used CMC, Detwiler, Bobs and currently using a T&H hyd. jackplate with a Verado 275.

**Spectre Powerboats** · 03-08-2016, 03:07 PM

I just ordered a new one from Rob at Bob's for the 400R. I ordered an Versa Jack Gen 2 in a 4" setback manual. I guess I made my mind up based on they support this board and they warranty it with the 400R on it and some OEM's won't with the 400R.

**mrcrsr** · 03-08-2016, 03:15 PM

Porta bracket or stainless marine gorilla jackplate, both are bulletproof.

**David Borg** · 03-08-2016, 04:50 PM

I like manual . Rapid jack magnum . It adjusts 1/4 of an inch at a time .it is much easier to set engine height . If you find the sweet spot and then go higher you know for sure that you can go back to the exact same position