90 merc is a terrific motor...for what it does best. Heck I've got one on my tunnel flats boat and wouldn't trade it for anything else. It's light, it's quick, it's extremely reliable. It's also just a 3 cylinder motor, and it's at about it's limit for what it will put out.Here lies your dilemma...you just won't have enough grunt out of that motor for a jack plate to make a difference, just won't leverage and give you lift. And you have too much boat and not enough motor to spin any sort of high rake prop that would make any difference either.
What you've got is a great combo, gets up, goes, does what it does with a minimum of fuss or trouble, and that's it. You could throw a lot of cash at it, and get minimal results, or just save your jack and get something that was made to run in your comfort zone. You'll be miles ahead instead of trying to mod what you've got into what it won't want to do.
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
with that kinda explanation, I'll prob. put that money into the electronics, thinkin bout 997 or hds8 among other things. Your absolutely right about gets up and goes - minimum trouble and no fuss. Its been an awsome combo, prob. enjoy it this year while keepin my eye out for a hydra with a 175 hangin off the back for next year.
A BAD DAY FISHING BEATS A GOOD DAY AT WORK 