Thoughts on using a jack plate

[Shrek]

I had a hydraulic jack plate on the back of my V-20 cc with a Merc 225 saltwater series 2 stroke. It was definitely a good addition for the boat in terms of performance (extra 2 mph at WOT and an extra 3 mph at cruise). The setback was only 6 inches so I think that the effect on the transom was negligible. My transom failed because it was old and waterlogged, not because of the extra lbs from the jack plate.