Jackplate on a McKee?

[Fisheye]

I have a 88 McKee Offshore fisherman (17') with a Johnson 88 spcl. Looks a lot like a Whaler if you have not seen one. Anyway, it has a small partial tunnel at the stern. I fish mainly around POC, Rockport etc. I am always dragging the motor running through cuts or sneaking into flats, etc.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with putting a jackplate on a boat like this and if it was worth the $ and trouble.

Thanks.

[Redfishr]

Get a bob's and It will defiantly help your situation.
I will not solve all your shallow water troubles but will help alot.
You will probably need a large cavitation plate added as well.
I recomend shallow blaster. It will direct more water to the intake of your motor.
That is a heavey boat and not made for the shallows but it will work somewhat.
If its the mcKee craft I know of.
good luck

[Fisheye]

Redfishr,

Thanks for the advice - been out of town a few days so I just saw it.

You're right it is heavy so I am not expecting a shallow runner, just looking for some help in the skinny water so I am not banging the lower unit or blowing mud everywhere I go.

[Copzilla]

I have a hydraulic jackplate on my 24 foot Blazer Bay. It's a deep V 17 degree deadrise, and I'll positively tell you that it helps me out. You can rock it up a bit and get another 3 or 4 inches of clearance or so at low-plane speeds, which can make a nice difference. You'll learn to play with it too, to assist the hole shot, you can buy a few inches punch-up depth with them if you learn to jack it down while just starting plane.