My dad and I just recently went in on upgrading to a newer boat just about a month ago.  It's a 1990 Stratos 270V.  It's got a 120 Evinrude (which I've heard nothing but good things about) and a 10 inch jackplate.  Does anybody have a boat or motor like this so I know what to do to get the most out of my outboard?

I don't have a 270 but have a 1987, 169V and an 89, 285 Pro.  Right now I'm building a 130 hp V-4 looper (basically the same as your 120) that will have approx 170hp  to go on the 169V.   I run a 6" jackplate on the 169 and a 8" on the 285 and the 8" is almost too much jackplate for that boat.   I would think a 10" jackplate on a 270 would be way too much with the weight of that motor.  That is not a light motor at approx 430 pounds.  Does it have a bad tendency to want to porpose at at lower speeds and coming off plane?  I only run a 10" on my 20' Javelin.

As for playing with the setup, don't let the water pressure drop below 16 pounds,  even in hard turns, watch your rpms and speed, if the motor gains rpm and not speed, you've raised the motor too high, go down 1/2".  The same with lift, if you notice a loss of bow lift, drop it back down 1/2".   I prefer the three blade Raker props but only after I send them off and have them custom tuned for the boats.   The four blade Renegades can be made to run almost as fast as the Raker's but I still prefer the Rakers.

I'm sorry ben, thats my mistake, i didnt mean to type 10 inch jackplate, i meant tt type 4 inch.  10 inch is on my dads good boat (my mistake) but anyway I see where u are coming from.  So far we have only run the boat once, so I don't have a great idea of the way it handles in all conditions, which is why i was wondering if anybody had any info on the subject.

I have a '93 Stratos 201 pro XL with a 200 E-rude.  I run that boat all over gods creation in whatever she throws at us and so far she hasn't skipped a beat!  I have had her in some serious Kansas and Texas chop and we can run pretty well open.

Great rough water design and ride.  

MY O2

I have a 95' 278 and it had a 130 V4 Rude on it and it blew........... Everyone Ive talked (mechanics) to do not favor the 130 because it was such a one of a kind and they didnt like it.  But I have herd that the 120 was much better and dependable motor.  

On my '93 E-rude - I just took off the oil injector pump and I am now mixing my gas.  I had heard horror stories of those going out and engines blowing and mine was acting up so I yanked it.  Runs like a top now.