Jack Plate Installation

[duckbuckhunter36]

I have a manual jackplate that I am wanting to install on my 16' Aluminum boat. The motor is a 25 yamaha (2-stroke). How do I know what height to set the motor? Been told there is a way to measure from cavitation plat to bottom of boat, but different explanations have been fairly vague. Any assistance would greatly be appreciated.

[Ray]

Without a jack plate, the cavitation plate needs to be at the bottom of the boat.
With a jack plate, I'd run her around 3 inches above the bottom of the boat and test it.
Then go up another inch, test... ect., until you find where most of the lower unit you can get out of the water, without cavitating or you can take off good.
There are different heights for motors, depending on how far it is set back from the transom.

[WestCoveWarrior]

Mount it at home about where you think it should be, then head to the boat launch with a buddy, set of wrenches, and a GPS. Run it and see how it does, go back to the launch and make adjustments. It'll save you alot of time and gas

[duckbuckhunter36]

Thanks Ray & West. Both of those replies are my exact intentions. I just needed to find out a good starting point to set the motor to eliminate extended adjustment time & frustration. Also, I have a 12v 55 lb. thrust rip tide trolling motor, any advice on what most ideal battery is to use? Happy fishing...

[gerald]