My Tracker is 15 years and old and I got the green light to get one of these boats. I am having an Ultrex put on and this boat can also have a Jack Plate added. I don’t have any experience with Jack Plates so was wondering if I should have this done. What are the advantages to having one? Shallower draft? Higher top end? Any disadvantages? The Motor will be a Mercury 115 Pro XS. Will I regret it if I don’t get one. Thanks for any info. And help on this guys. 

I have a 2018 RT188.  I did not get the Jack Plate and do not regret it.  I went with the 90HP Merc and have not regretted that either.  I'm never in a hurry and very happy at 30-40MPH. If you're into getting the most performance out of your boat then consider the Jack Plate, otherwise it's a waste of money IMO.  

 

Also I have an Ultrex on mine and can't imagine life without it. 

If it is hydraulic, you can move it up to run in shallow water., plus you may be able to fine tune it and get a couple mph faster on top end.

Manual jackplates may get you a couple mph faster.

On that boat, the only reason I would get a jackplate, would be to install power poles.

Mercury will void the warranty if you put a sandwich bracket between the motor and transom to install power poles or talons. They will not void your warranty if you have a jackplate.

I saw this boat at the mpls boat show a week ago. The pad hull is better than the mod v hull in my opinion.