What prop is best for bass boat

[BIgdamdog1]

I have a 17-0 stratos fish and ski rigged with a 1979 Mercury 150. I am working on rebuilding the engine right now. I bought the boat with this engine and it seems to ride lower in the water than other boats while at speed. I only fish from this boat and just run up and down the lake. Would a Cleaver style prop lift the transome out and up for more speed . I have 21p "turbo" prop right now that works well. If yes to the cleaver , what pitch and # of blades. Thanks for any help, Mike.

[Wizard]

No cleaver ever on a bassboat. You need a big diameter bow lifting prop which for you would be the 21 Tempest with no jackplate or a 23 Tempest with a 6" jackplate. Your propshaft needs to be set 3" below the pad of the boat.

[BIgdamdog1]

I have a 5.5in set back manual jackplate on right now , should I take it off? Is the turbo I have not a good choice? Thanks for the help.

[David]

Keep the jackplate. A Trophy would be also be good to try.

[Mr.Rude]

What model Stratos F/S is it. I have a 92 274FS with a 150 OMC and get great peformance (for what it is) from it. I run a 23 Shooter for sking and fishing, and a 27 Renegade for top speed. I run a 6" jackplate and the propshaft is 1.5 below the pad. I have no problems getting it on the pad, and the higher I went with the motor the better it handled at higher speeds. I am goinG higher soon, but I have to install a LWP. It does not like the 3 blade (24 and 26 Rakers) at all, the bow swings from side to side wildly. Not a chine walk, its more like what loose steering or motor mount would do. Put the 4 blade back on and it runs like normal (who knows why). A cleaver would be useless IMO! Hope this helps ya and good luck.

[BIgdamdog1]

It is a Stratos 266 Fish and Ski.