BCPD199 Posted December 2, 2022 Report Share Posted December 2, 2022 Looking at possibly ordering a new 18 Redfisher with the 150 SHO. Thoughts on adding the jackplate? My 20 Young I wouldn't think of going without; but, the 18 Marquesa I had, no one runs one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted December 2, 2022 Report Share Posted December 2, 2022 It's not necessary on a Redfisher 18 and changes the weight balance (shifts weight back). Do you have a specific need for it? There is no performance (speed) gain if you add a jack plate. More prop cup will probably be needed to keep from losing grip in turns as well. JMHO. Edit: If you buy one, get a Bob's Jack Plate 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCPD199 Posted December 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2022 From when I looked at Egret boats a while back, they recommended going without one too. I understand the weight and balance. It just seems that everyone listed for sale has one. As for Bob's jack plate, I agree theirs is the best. For the life of me, I can't understand why MBG uses Atlas. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted December 3, 2022 Report Share Posted December 3, 2022 15 hours ago, BCPD199 said: As for Bob's jack plate, I agree theirs is the best. For the life of me, I can't understand why MBG uses Atlas. Atlas is probably more mass-produced and can meet the demand from a high-volume builder like MBG. I had an Atlas 4" (Full-size not Micro) on my Redfisher 16 and the only complaint was quality of the relays and how they were integrated with the wiring harness. There is a company making high-quality replacement harness/relays for them now. The jack plate itself worked well for me. Just read the manual on how to care for and maintain it. I edited my previous post to remove the comment about needing to use trim tabs more with a JP. That's not always true. A jack plate can be raised to compensate for too much bow rise. If I was having one factory installed, believe it or not, I would order an 8" Atlas. It comes in two parts so you could un-bolt and drop down the aft section if needed to get the prop further down into cleaner water if you have prop-ventilation problems. I did the same thing with my Redfisher 16, but with a 2.5" setback spacer in front of the 4" Atlas (actually 5") making my total setback 7.5". Bragging a little here - but it was the best JP setup I've seen on a RF 16, and the motor could be tilted up all the way with the JP bottomed out, and the steering system still cleared the transom. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaSerpent123 Posted December 13, 2022 Report Share Posted December 13, 2022 I have a 115 yamaha on mine and would NOT have a jack plate. Not needed and too much weight with a 150 anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rvan Posted July 7, 2023 Report Share Posted July 7, 2023 I found my 2020 RF18 at a dealer about the same time SeaSerpent was posting his videos documenting picking up his new RF. Amazingly the boats are almost identical. Same color, motor, same electronics, etc. Except mine came with the factory installed 6” jackplate. Tried the ported PowerTech 17” SCD 4 blade that SeaSerpent shared on his video and it just did not work for me. It is now a spare that I take along on trips. I found a 16” 4 blade Yamaha Talon that seems perfect. I don’t blow out on turns, great hole shot, run most of the time with the jackplate raised 2”, turn 6100 to 6200 rpms in the low 40’s loaded and full tank of gas. max has been 43 in “perfect” conditions. Really great to idle onto flats jackplate up 5” before you deploy trolling motor and start fishing. I agree you might not need a jackplate on the RF but I believe it is a great addition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrmojorisan Posted July 12, 2023 Report Share Posted July 12, 2023 I have a jack plate on my 18 with the 150 and wouldn't go without it... I use it every trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCPD199 Posted July 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2023 23 hours ago, Mrmojorisan said: I have a jack plate on my 18 with the 150 and wouldn't go without it... I use it every trip Can I ask what prop you're running? I'm using the Yamaha Reliance 21" 3 blade and it runs out fine. Great top end and within the RPM specs; but, I wouldn't mind trading some speed for a better holeshot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrmojorisan Posted July 13, 2023 Report Share Posted July 13, 2023 I bought the boat with a 4 blade prop already on it, but here in my office I'm not sure what brand and size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted July 13, 2023 Report Share Posted July 13, 2023 Not needed unless running lots of shallow water or crossing lots of bars like in Charlotte harbor. Had one and seldom used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCPD199 Posted July 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2023 10 hours ago, Mrmojorisan said: I bought the boat with a 4 blade prop already on it, but here in my office I'm not sure what brand and size If you get a chance, I would greatly like to know what you're running on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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