I am buying a 1997 Stratos 282 with a 150hp Intruder and a 24 pitch 3 blade Raker. There is no Jackplate~~the boat is quick out the hole and runs 62 GPS at 5500RPM at WOT. I videoed it running with the owner driving and it dosen't seem to lift like my old boat. My question is do I leave it alone or should i have a Jack Plate installed? It has the origional no feed back steering and I plan on having new steering installed for safety, so will a Jack Plate help the boat lift better or does a Stratos perform best without a Jackplate.?? Well I guess I will be with the Stratos family now.