I bought a 1997 Stratos model 285 Professional Elite with a Evinrude
Intruder 150 HP. I must admit it's my first bass boat. When I went for
a test ride the boat had a 14 and 1/4" 24 pitch Raker prop on it and
we hit about 65 MPH on the speedometer @ 5200 PM's with 1/3 of a tank
of gas. When I got home I put on a 21 pitch Soras 14" 4 bladed prop.
The hole shot now is very good (better then the Raker prop) but in
light chop today I hit 63 on the speedometer at 5200 RPM's. On the
hand held GPS when the speedo said 63 I was doing 58.7 MPH based on
the GPS.

What is the right prop prop for this boat as my marine guy really
pushes the 21 pitch 4 Bladed prop. I have both so I can change
anytime. Speed isn't the main consideration for me and the boat drove
and handled the situation well. I would just like to get the max out
of the boat and what it is designed to do with the 150 HP Motor. I
usually drive the boat less hard (4000 RPM) unless going the whole
lenght of the lake which is about 8 miles.

The only complaint I have is that the boat seemed to want to steer
slightly left and the pressure to turn it seemed high to me. The boat
looks almost new and has very little wear and I got it off Ebay from a
dealer 50 miles from me.

When I went to go for a test ride in it I brought a cashiers check
made out to him or me. If I wasn't happy I was going to walk away and
redeposit the money in my account.

Your comments would be appreciated.

Art Salmons