I am looking for advice on rigging my boat for planner boards. My boat is a 21 foot center console with T-Top running a 175 Evinrude Ficht.

First off should I just run the planner reels right off the T-Top instead of a mast? I saw some people running them right off the side of the boat. I guess the question is how high off the water do you want your planner reels?

Next, what are the best planner boards? I am thinking the big ones that look to be around 3 feet long. I know some guys make there own. Suggestions?

My boat doesn't have a kicker and will only troll down to 2.8 mph on smooth water. Have you guys had any luck with the little plate that flips down over the prop to slow down the speed?