Boat: Gambler 2000 Intimidator
Motor: Merc 225 EFI with Brucato Injection
Prop: 25" Tempest Plus
Trim Tabs: none
Jack Plate: 6" Detwiler on Gambler 4" set back (10" overall) - standard Gambler set up 10 years ago
Extras: Bryan's Foil
Problem: Prop is too small of a pitch for top end performance, yet it still has trouble getting out of the hole with two aboard and livewells full. If it does come out without intervention, it takes about 6 1/2 seconds for the front to drop. For about 4 seconds of this time, forward visibility is eliminated. If the boat doesn't come out on its own from a dead stop due to hot weather, slick water, or power loss due to extra back pressure from the exhaust relief port going under water, the passenger has to walk up front in order to get the boat on plane. It will not come out unless that happens as the rear end is sucked down permanently. This happens about 50% of the time when two are in the boat.
Fix: I've designed a skid plate for him to solve several of the problems with his jack plate assembly and to also provide an additional running surface for planing purposes only.
Results: Hole shot with two aboard and full tournament load reduced from 6 1/2 seconds to 4 1/2 seconds with strong acceleration from the start. The rear has no chance of being locked down as before due to the scooping effect of the jack plate (see pics). Very little bow rise. Driver has visibility the entire time. No change in high speed performance as the plate is entirely out of the water at this point. Backwash is significantly reduced. This should enable him to try props for top end performance that never got him out of the hole in the past, i.e. 27" Trophy and/or Fury and should have a huge improvement on his fuel efficiency due to less strain off the start and the taller pitch.
Normal running position (BEFORE). Look at how easily water will scoop up and into the jack plate area on hole shot. He had water going over his motor cowling on every hole shot.
Normal running position (AFTER). The plate extends the set back surface and puts about a 7 degree hook at this location to lift the rear. It also ensures that water won't run up into the plate creating the huge scooping effect that is the most detrimental aspect of his poor hole shot.
Plate fully down (BEFORE). This is what made the plate design very difficult. See how the ram travels a good ways down.
Normal running position from underneath (AFTER). What is also accounted for in the plate design is that the ram can travel down through the plate. There is a .200" clearance built in.
Zoomed out view (BEFORE). Large cavities in the sides of the plate allow water to enter here as well. Not as severe of an issue, but still not desireable.
Zoomed out view (AFTER). Cavities are covered by side plates. He's also done a nice restoration on the plates. Yes, this is the same boat.
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Im just happy now that I have overcome my holeshot, I can now put the prop on that I really want so I can figure the best handling, speed and overall performance ive already spent thousands of dollars trying to achieve with little to no avail. This plate is awesome. Granted I never did get a chance to try the Bravo 1 27p that was recommended to me 2 months ago. But this plate was a fraction of the cost and achieved the main thing I was concerned with...a real natural holeshot. being at 2000+ ft altitude, my setup is much different than alot of you guys running at, or near sea level, but anyone having any holeshot problems would be hard pressed to find a better solution than this plate. You guys with the tabs have it made, and now I finally do as well...and it even adds to the Aluminum Decor ive already got goin on back there 
