Best Gheenoe Jack Plate: Buyers Guide

I was thinking about how they run Gheenoes in such skinny water for duck hunting and inshore fishing. I see the mud motors ripping through the swamps and boats running in only inches of water, but how? I started looking around and landed on jack plates.

A Gheenoe jack plate allows the boat to operate in shallower water by raising the prop, this reduces the turbulence when the prop is close to contacting the ground. Raising the prop also gets the Gheenoe on plane faster and allows it to maintain speed more efficiently. A jack plate can also lower the outboard prop to improve hole shot performance.

What is a Jack Plate?

image showing a manual jack plate on a boat
Jack plate on a boat

A jack plate is a specially designed metal mounting bracket that connects to the boat transom and outboard motor. The plate is adjustable and lets you raise or lower the outboard motor vertically.

Some benefits of an outboard jack plate on a Gheenoe include running shallower, a higher more efficient top speed and better hole shot. Raising your motor keeps the prop clear of the ground, reducing turbulence, the setback also allows the prop to find “clean” water behind the boat.

Lowering your motor can help you get a good hole shot while raising it can help your boat get on plane easier than adjusting trim alone. Lifting your motor leaves less of the prop in the water, which reduces the power needed to maintain speed. A drop-down plate lets you lower the prop, helping it push the boat through the water.
You can use your jack plate to raise your motor when pulling the boat out of the water also keeping the prop and skeg clear of dragging on the boat ramp.

Gheenoe jack plate size

The size of a jack plate depends on transom strength, motor weight, horsepower and method of mounting. A jack plate is sized by the amount of setback, or how far the plate extends past the transom. For smaller clamp-on engines there are mini jack plates with setbacks from 5-8″. For larger higher horsepower motors the options range from 6″-14″ setbacks. The best way to find out what size jack plate you need is to call the jack plate dealer or manufacturer and give them your Gheenoe size and motor specs and let them make a recommendation.

Jack plate setback


Setback is how far the jack plate extends past the transom, this typically ranges from 6″-14″. The more setback you have, the more leverage the motor will have on the boat. This leverage helps raise the bow out of the water. Setback also positions the prop away from turbulent water coming off the hull, which can help with performance. As a general rule, you want your motor cavitation plate to be slightly (1 inch) above the bottom of your boat transom.


There is no set rule of thumb for how much setback you need for your boat. It all depends on how much bow lift you need and how far you need to move the motor to push through clean water. Also consider any room you may need to clear steering components. When you tilt your motor up, or turn it all the way, if you don’t have enough setback and have clearance issues your steering may hit the top of the boat transom or jack plate.

Hydraulic vs manual jack plates

a manual jack plate
4″ Manual Jack Plate

Both hydraulic and sliding manual jack plates use the same basic design. The jack plate frame mounts to your boat’s transom, while your outboard motor bolts to the actual jack plate. Moving the plate up and down changes the position of the motor.

A hydraulic jack plate uses a hydraulic ram driven by an electric pump to lift and lower the plate. A hydraulic jack can be adjusted on the fly, going deep in the water to help you get a good hole shot, then raising up for optimum performance once you’re underway. This is the best choice if your focus is speed, shallow water, or ease of use.

A manual jack plate uses a large screw, like a C-clamp, that moves the outer plate up and down. Manual plates are cheaper than hydraulic plates, and they work well if your main concern is finding the best position your engine works in and locking it down. Manual Jack Plates can be adjusted on the water but require more effort and may be time-consuming to adjust.

Jack plate coatings

  • Raw Aluminum
    If you’re only operating in freshwater a raw aluminum jack plate is the way to go. It is budget-friendly and will not corrode as easily as steel. However, if you are using the jack plate in saltwater there are better options available.
  • Black Powder Coating Black powder-coated jack plates are good options for fishing or hunting applications. The baked-on finish is glossy black but will not reflect light like raw aluminum. This coating is not corrosion protection and can chip off over time, however. So this is a good option if you only operate in freshwater.
  • Clear and Black Anodized Aluminum
    Anodizing oxidizes the surface of aluminum, creating a hardened, corrosion-resistant layer that won’t flake off. This layer offers improved corrosion resistance over raw aluminum, making it a good choice for saltwater. Black anodized plates have a harder-wearing surface that is more resistant to saltwater corrosion than clear anodizing.

Jack plate on tiller motor

Yes, you can have a jack plate on a tiller motor. The benefits are the same as a jack plate on any outboard motor. One thing to consider is the position of the tiller handle. Make sure to check if you will have enough clearance for the tiller handle and for turning if the motor is lowered all the way down. Also the angle you hold the tiller handle will change as well, this may be uncomfortable for some people. Vance Mfg makes a mini jack plate for clamp-on motors that would be suitable for a tiller motor.

Mini Jack Plates

Bobs machine shop mini jac is a mini jack plate with a smaller narrower footprint for lower hp engines.

Vance manufacturing JPL2412SB 5” Setback Mini-Jack Plate for Gheenoe and Clamp-on Engines

On The Fly Jack Plates are the fastest manual jack plates on the market. They can adjust in seconds, not minutes! These jack plates feature anodized aluminum options and:

• Approved for up to 30hp motors (for motors without factory trim and tilt)
• manual jack mounts inside the jack plate housing
• 3 year warranty on the jack plate housing
• 1 year warranty on the jack
• Pre-drilled for transom mounting
• Jack plate housing made in the USA

I hope this helps in your gheenoe jack plate journey. If you have any questions contact us and sign up for the email list. Thanks!