Detweiller vs BoB,s jack plate

[CDN CAT]

I have a Puma 06 with a Hydr. detweiller J.plate and from the get go it was problems now it,s stuck in the down position anyway I called detweiller and the only options are rebuilt with there new system for 350.00 + shipping since I,m in Canada that should bring that cost to over 500.00 being roughly 6months out of waranty I think it,s a little steep since its a manufactured defect Now here,s the thing do i have it rebuilt send them 500 dollars of my money again or do I bite the bullet and by a Bobs Jack plate, are those bob,s much better then the other brand. also less down time to re-install and just use the detweiller as a anchor.

[basschaser]

The new system from my understanding is a Merc trim pump…which we know those are pretty reliable.I had a Detwiler on my 07 Puma and I have a Bobs on my 08 FTD. Here is my take between the 2 plates. The biggest thing is the gauge is junk on the Detwiler, it doesnt duplicate the same position twice. The Bob gauge is pretty slick to say the least. Seems the Bobs you dont have to be as careful in regards to the steering fittings getting into the plate or transom. The Bobs moves faster than the Detwiler which can be a positive and a negative, you need to really pay attention and know which stick is the trim and which stick is the plate. The Detwiler has room to mount the 997 transducer and the Bobs does not (I would much prefer the transducer be mounted on the plate). The Bobs requires the pump to be in the bilge area mounted to the seat post and the Detwiler is all contained, not sure which is better but it is a difference. The Detwiler seems to be a little heavier duty but you never hear of Bobs problems…matter of fact many people who run the great lakes say the Bobs is the best plate on the market. I wouldnt hesitate to run a Detwiler again but they will have to fix their gauge before I would consider it, they do have the exact dial but by adding that the Bobs is cheaper. Sorry, I know I didnt give you a direct answer but that is some things I see. If I was in your shoes and knew the hard water was coming and that plate was keeping me off the water I would probably do whatever got me back on the water quicker. Good luck. Judd Lasiter

[CDN CAT]

thanks for your reply Basschaser! Do you need to be cautious with the Bob,s plate if you run it all the way up or down or is this no issue with a Bob.

[PhilAddison]

CDN CATYoull find very few companies that will warranty goods after the warranty has expired. Not what you wanted to hear, but thats a fact. While the seal system on the Detwiler plates were very questionable a couple of years ago, the new product appears to be bullet proof. $350 for a better Detwiler or $1200 for a Bobs. Appears to be an easy decision for me. Send me your Detwiler before you toss it overboard as an anchor!

[Bass Cat Boats]

MR Addison its no longer a warranty issue its call manufactured defect or bad conception if you prefer and like i mention it,s 500.00 dollars at my door not 350.00 and by the way bob,s plate is 800.oo dollars as per Basscat, Not what you wanted to hear, But thats a fact. P.s the new product appears to be bullet proof. When am i gonna find out if its bullet proof when it brakes again…. Also why is it Basscat first choice of jack plate now is BOBS

[Bass Cat Boats]

A new Bobs is well more than $800. new, though Service may have offered to help ease your pain some on a new plate. That is well below the wholesale on a Bobs with the 6 bolt frame rails. The existing Detwiler will work fine with the modification. The new 115 trim pump is very nice and fail safe. We offer both plates in 2008, and the Bobs is faster with a much better gauge. The speed of a Detwiler is more used friendly and the exact dial is not user friendly. They will not return to the setting if you use another button, only if you only use the Exact Dial. The settings are not ever consistent. It is not designed to be so either. The choice is one for you. BCB

[Tideman]

NONE OF MY BUSINESS, BUT IT SEEMS PHIL WAS ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION… I DONT KNOW WHY IT SEEMS THAT ITS GETTING TO BE KICK PHIL IN THE BUTT LATELY.. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, ALL HE TRYS TO DO IS HELP…. LAY OFF OR DEAL WITH THE OLD MAN

[basschaser]

Doesnt seem to have any issues going all the way up or down, I think it might be a Detwiler habit but I dont normally run it all the way either direction. They are both fine plates, go with what you decide will best suit your needs and give you peace of mind. Judd

[Traybird.basscatowners]

For what its worth I like my Detwiler. I have the exact dial and havent had any problems. I also like the fact that the unit is self contained and that I didnt have to add anything to the bilge area, which always seems crowded when you have to work in it anyway.

[CDN CAT]

http://bobsmachine.com/ the price is 839.00 as per there web site and dont get me wrong I appreciate Basscat giving me a brake of 39.00 dollars.But its really frustrating when its a manufacture defect and I have to pick up the tab.

[Bass Cat Boats]

This is a very old thread that got mentioned by an AI bot crawler. The thread is not entirely written by BCB, though was copied from a very aged owners board site.

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