Jack Plates

What Is a Jack Plate and Why Does It Matter?

Jack plates are one of the most impactful performance upgrades you can make to an outboard-powered boat. A jack plate is a mounting system installed between the boat's transom and the outboard motor that allows the engine to be raised or lowered vertically, changing how the propeller sits in the water. Adjusting engine height can improve speed, handling, fuel efficiency, and overall boat performance.

Jack plates also add setback — the horizontal distance between the transom and the motor mount. This positions the propeller in cleaner, less-turbulent water away from the hull's wake, giving the prop a better bite and more efficient thrust. Together, vertical adjustment and setback help a boat get on plane faster, run shallower, and reach higher top speeds with the same engine.

Types of Jack Plates

There are three main types of jack plates, each suited to different boating styles and budgets:

• Hydraulic / Electric Jack Plates: These use a hydraulic actuator or electric motor to raise and lower the outboard at the push of a button while underway. They are ideal for boaters who regularly move between shallow flats and open water, or who want precise on-the-fly performance tuning.
• Manual Jack Plates: Manual plates use a mechanical screw mechanism to reposition the motor. They are more cost-effective and work well for boaters who want to find an optimal engine height and lock it in, rather than adjusting frequently.
• Fixed Jack Plates: Fixed models offer no vertical adjustment but provide a set amount of setback and a corrected mounting height. They are the simplest and least expensive option, often used to solve transom height mismatches or add a measured amount of setback.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Jack Plate

Selecting the right jack plate comes down to several factors: your boat's hull type, engine horsepower and weight, typical water depth, and how often you want to make adjustments. Setback sizes typically range from 4 to 14 inches — as a general rule, longer boats benefit from more setback. Bass boats, bay boats, and flats skiffs are among the most common applications, since these hulls frequently transition between shallow and deep water environments. Always verify that the plate's horsepower and weight rating matches or exceeds your outboard's specs.

Top Jack Plate Brands

When it comes to jack plates, a few trusted manufacturers stand out. Bob's Machine is widely considered the category leader. Founded in 1978 in Tampa, Florida, Bob's Machine was the first company to produce a jack plate rated for 300 horsepower, and their entire lineup is manufactured in the USA using CNC machining and marine-grade aluminum. Their flagship Action Series™ features an integrated pump built directly into the plate housing, keeping the interior of your boat clean and uncluttered, while all models come backed by a lifetime structural warranty.

SeaStar Solutions brings decades of marine engineering expertise to their jack plate lineup. Their Gen II hydraulic models feature a high-speed actuator capable of moving the engine through its full range of travel in seconds, and their plates are specifically designed to maximize engine tilt when paired with SeaStar steering cylinders — making them a natural fit for boaters who already run SeaStar hydraulic steering.

CMC has a long-standing reputation in the marine performance community for their Power-Lift jack plate, a roller-style design known for its reliability and versatility across a range of outboard setups.