A jack plate is an excellent addition to your boat. It is one of those tools that once you have installed you will wonder how you ever got by without it.

There is, of course, a number of options available when buying a jack plate. From the well-known Atlas jack plate to lesser-known brands, there is also the question of whether you opt for a manual or hydraulic model.

To help you we have pulled together this comprehensive buyer’s guide. We have also reviewed 5 quality jack plates to bring you our opinion on the best currently available.

For our findings at glance just head to the table below. For an in-depth review of each product, keep on reading.

Best Jack Plate – Top 5

Hydraulic Jack Plate Reviews

Currently, there is a wide range of jack plates on the market. With that in mind, we have decided to split our review section into two.

This first section contains 3 reviews covering what we believe to be the best hydraulic jack plates you can buy.

The second section takes a look at the more affordable manual jack plate.

And based on the above rating criteria, 5 of the best jack plates have been identified and chosen for review.

1. TOP PICK: T-H Marine AHJ6VDP – ATLAS™ Hydraulic Jack Plate

If you are looking for the best, reliable, efficient and versatile jack plate, then look no further, the ATLAS from T-H Marine is exactly what you need.

This hydraulic jack plate has been engineered to suit a range of needs, from the heaviest and powerful v6 engines to big four-stroke engines.

Among the notable features of this jack plate include a rod and slot lifting design, one-piece hydraulics, and a new hydraulic pump.

Let’s take a closer look…

The jack plate boasts a 6-inch setback and 5-inch stroke length with a height adjustment of 7-inches.

It has an efficient rod and slot lifting design that guarantees a smooth free lifting action courtesy of the high-grade polymer rods that provide 6 times more abrasion than normal steel.

These rods have been crafted from a special self-lubricating material making the jack plate easy to maintain.

The ATLAS is purely hydraulic. It has been equipped with a self-contained hydraulic pump kit with no reservoir or lines for installation.

Manufactured in the U.S.A, the hydraulic actuator enhances hydraulic action, from bottom to maximum lift in only 8 seconds.

When it comes to installation and maintenance, this jack plate doesn’t disappoint courtesy of the one-piece design.

The plates come drilled to ensure compatibility with Power-Pole and Minn-Kota Talon® bracket mounts.

The installation procedure is also very simple. On average, you require half the time to install this unit compared to similar jack plates.

The easy two-pin pump removal and self-lubricating rods also make maintenance very easy.

Bottom Line

The T-H Marine AHJ6VDP is a great jack plate considering it is hydraulic. It offers unsurpassed performance and is very easy to install.

The self-lubricating rods make this jack plate the best because you don’t need to be opening it for greasing. Even though there are cases of bolt freezing, it is still a great jack plate as its advantages completely overshadow its disadvantages.

Considering its lift ability, this hydraulic jack plate is just the best for the job and that is why it is considered the best jack plate in the market.

2. Bob’s Machine Shop Action Series Jack Plate

The Bob’s Machine 100106010 is a reliable jack plate in Bob’s Machine popular ‘Action Series’ Jack Plates. It is the first jack plate by this manufacturer to have a pump in the jack plate body giving it a compact size which is ideal in saving space.

This jack plate has been engineered to work with engines of up to 300 hp / 625 lbs. It also boasts the revolutionary Bob’s Machine Shop Design that makes it compact in size.

To achieve the best setback, this unit has a one-piece design so you don’t need setback spacers like common jack plates. The simple design also makes operation easy even for beginners.

When it comes to performance, the Bob’s Machine Action Series has powerful motors that have been optimized to lift even the heaviest of outboards under full power.

The pump has been incorporated into the jack plate to make it compact.

However, you can also choose to convert it and have the pump in the boat. For easy and smooth-running, it has automotive grease nipples and tension rods for efficiency.

Installing Bob’s Machine 100106010 Action Series Jack Plate is quite easy. This is because of the one-piece design and most importantly, the drilled plates for double side mounting on Power-Pole bracket mounts and other popular mounts.

Maintenance is also easy and it has a lifetime warranty on the body structure.

Bottom Line

Bob’s Machine Shop offering is a good jack plate for those looking for a compact jack plate. It offers impressive setbacks and unrivaled performance.

Even though it scores low in terms of compatibility, it is still a good jack plate as long as you ensure it fits your boat’s outboard.

In a nutshell, it can be a great purchase if you want fuel efficiency and easy navigation, especially in shallow waters.

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3. AHJM-4-DP ATLAS MicroJacker Jack Plate

As the name suggests, the ATLAS Micro Jacker is a compact jack plate that is ideal for small boats and those who love speed.

At only 23 lbs, it is among the lightest jack plates on the market. It is specifically designed for shallow waters and skiffs, aluminum boats, and other flatboats with 75 hp or less.

Even though it is compact in size, its performance is impressive. Featuring a 4-inch setback, it comes with a Clamp-On Motor Adapter which allows users to mount small engines with clamp-on brackets without necessarily using bolts.

It has a small footprint measuring only 14-5/8” wide and 11-1/2” high. This makes it easy to mount even on small outboards.

Just like the T-H Marine AHJ6VDP – ATLAS™, this unit has a self-contained hydraulic pump and an actuator that enhances the lift to maximum lift in only 8 seconds.

Crafted in a rod and slot lift design, it also has high-tech polymer rods made from self-lubricating material thus you don’t need to grease them.

This jack plate comes with 3 mounting hole options on the transom side and 2 on the engine side for easy mounting. It is easy to maintain, courtesy of the self-lubricating material and one-piece design.

Bottom Line

The ATLAS Micro Jacker Jack Plate is a great jack plate for small boats. The best thing about this jack plate is its compact size that makes it ideal for small boats.

Even though it is small, it can still pull up in 8 seconds as long as it has been mounted on the right engine. It comes in hand mostly when maneuvering in shallow waters.

Even though it is only ideal for small engines, it is still the perfect purchase for those looking for a lightweight jack plate.

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Manual Jack Plate Reviews

For those on a stricter budget, or feel that they will only occasionally need to adjust the position of their outboard motor, the manual jack plate may well be the most suitable option.

Let’s take a close look at two highly recommended manual jack plates.

4. TOP PICK MANUAL: CMC Manual Powerlift Transom Jack Plate (T-H Marine 65012)

The T-H Marine 65012 is also another great jack plate from T-H Marine. This jack plate is manual and has been designed to be compatible with the standard B.I.A. bolt pattern.

Unlike most jack plates, the T-H Marine CMC has its screws centrally placed for easy alignment. It has been crafted in a solid one-piece design using high-quality 6061 T6 extruded aluminum alloy.

This particular model comes with a 5.5-inch setback and a 5-inch height adjustment. It has been crafted from high-grade 6061 T6 extruded aluminum alloy that makes it strong and sturdy.

Other notable features include a one-piece design and a centrally located adjustment screw for accurate alignment.

Unlike most jack plates, this unit comes with stainless steel fasteners that guarantee a tight grip for durability and easy installation.

It can smoothly lift V6 engines with ease and has been designed to fit B.I.A. bolt patterns. This jack plate works on a manual power lift and delivers exceptional performance.

Like earlier said, installation is very easy. Maintenance is also easy bearing in mind you need to unfasten the stainless steel straps, unlike others that are bolted.

Bottom Line

The T-H Marine 65012 is a great jack plate only that it is manually powered. It, however, offers great performance and competes favorably with other hydraulic operated jack plates.

One great feature that makes this jack plate outstanding is its accurate alignment enabled by the centrally positioned adjustment screws.

It is ideal for V6 engines and requires minimal maintenance compared to hydraulic jack plates. Generally, it is a worthy jack plate for those who want to keep things simple!

5. Detwiler DTW JP1060SS – D100 Series Manual Jack Plate

The Detwiler DTW JP1060SS is a top-class jack plate that is a favorite to most boat owners because of its versatility.

It can be used by both 2 and 4-stroke engines of up to 300 hp / 585 lbs. It is also lightweight and corrosion-resistant making it an all-weather jack plate ready to take on any conditions.

The Detwiler DTW JP1060SS sports a simple, strong, and sturdy design. It has been built using aircraft grade 6061-T6 aluminum alloy material for durability and most importantly to withstand harsh sea conditions.

The surface that may come into contact with water is anodized to military standards to make it corrosion-resistant, a very unique feature of this model.

Like earlier said, this jack plate can be used in 2-stroke and also 4-stroke engines as long as they don’t exceed 300 hp/ 585 lbs.

Being a manual jack plate, it has been engineered with interlocking slide guides for smooth and efficient travel. The screws are pre-greased to further enhance the smooth operation and easy installation.

Even though its operation is manual, you can trust the Detwiler DTW JP1060SS for very fast lifts from minimum to maximum for easy maneuvering as well as fuel efficiency.

This jack plate is easy to install and requires little maintenance.

Bottom Line

The Detwiler DTW JP1060SS is a solid jack plate that has been crafted for durability and use even in the harshest of conditions including salty waters.

When it comes to performance, it doesn’t disappoint either. It actually gives you the freedom to use it in a variety of engines as long as it doesn’t exceed the specified limit.

With a 2 years manufacturer’s warranty, this jack plate should be in your wishlist.

Jack Plate Buyer’s Guide

Do I really need a Jack Plate?

One of the main reasons to install a jack plate is that it will compensate for any issues you have with having a long shaft engine.

That being said, there are a number of scenarios where your boat will benefit from having a jack plate. Here are some of the problems you might be having that could be eradicated after installing a jack plate:

• You’re experiencing a poor holeshot – In boating, a holeshot is the ability to get up on a plane and up to speed quickly from a standstill. If your motor is not correctly positioned in the water, the result can be a poor holeshot. A jack plate could help.
• When at the top speed your outboard is not perpendicular (straight up & down) in relation to the water.
• The hull isn’t lifting as it should as you traverse the water
• Boats of the same design as yours are rigged with jack plates and noticeably perform better

Essentially, if you’re experiencing any of the above, a jack plate may very well make a difference to the performance of your vessel.

The different styles of Jack Plate

Now that we’ve covered some of the circumstances you might benefit from a jack plate, let’s take a look at the different types of plates available, how they work and the general benefits of owning one.

The Hydraulic Jack Plate

Atlas – one of the best hydraulic jack plates for bass boats

The most popular form of jack plate is the hydraulic-powered one. The jack plate is a simple add-on bracket that allows your outboard engine trip to easily adjust up and down.

The plate uses hydraulic pressure to move position at the command of the operator. This saves the boat owner from having to lift and adjust the outboard manually.

Manual Jack Plates

In search of the best manual jack plate

As briefly covered above, the manual Jack Plate does exactly the same as the hydraulic plate (i.e moves the outboard motor up and down), however, the adjustment has to be carried out manually.

The boat owner has to go through the rather cumbersome process of loosening nuts and bolts to change the mounting position, rather than utilize hydraulics.

On the plus side, the manual option is cheaper to buy and less bulky than the hydraulic alternative.

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How to decide which is the best option for you?

In situations where excess weight is an issue, and there is very little need to constantly adjust the height, (a lightweight, purpose-built race boat for instance) a manual jack plate would likely fit the bill.

If you’re using a boat for recreational purposes, be it for bass fishing, water sports, etc and you find yourself needing to change the position of the outboard regularly, the hydraulic jack plate is recommended

Benefits of installing a Jack Plate

One of the largest benefits of installing a jack plate is that it allows you to adjust the engine height to suit your conditions.

This simple ability offers some tangible benefits:

1. Shallow waters are no longer such a pain

There is no need to tilt the engine in order to accommodate the shallow depth areas.

With a jack plate, you can raise the engine so that cavitation (air can be drawn from the surface onto the propeller blades) can be achieved.

This also makes covering extremely shallow areas of water possible. Without a jack plate, the same areas would destroy the propeller and the bottom of your engine.

The same ability also allows you to get up on a plane in shallower water.

2. Better fuel economy

Another great benefit of installing a jack plate (and using it the right way) is the fact you can increase the fuel efficiency of your vessel.

This is achieved by having the propeller position correctly in the water.

By adjusting the jack plate you can channel thrust directly parallel to the surface of the water.

This will propel you through the water with greater efficiency, thus saving on the amount of fuel used.

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3. Reduced Drag

Adjusting the position of your engine and propeller in the water can reduce the amount of drag that the equipment causes.

With a hydraulic jack plate, you can very simply raise the engine height if and when the conditions allow for it.

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Wrapping it up

Jack plates are very important to boat owners. Even though they are quite expensive and are deemed unnecessary because a boat can do without them, their contribution is vital.

First, with jack plates, you will have better handling even in the worst weather and shallow waters. Jack plates also boost engine performance and greatly enhances fuel efficiency.

With this in mind, you need to get your boat a jack plate especially if you normally go to very shallow waters as it can help you pull up your motor to avoid mechanical breakdowns that can be caused by obstacles.

It will also help you improve engine performance and fuel efficiency. So, if you had never thought about purchasing a jack plate, then it’s time you include any of the above jack plates in your wishlist.