Ran sportmasters, no cav plates with 4 blades. Props slipped while coming on plane. And can only use 3/4 tab. I would say with cav plates there would be no issue getting on plane. I just didn't want to drill my drives for them because I wasn't keeping them on.

Can you get sportmasters with and without cavitation plates?

Cav plates are separate I like using the imco cav plates over the merc ones.

I have 1.36 ratio drives,

I hate to admit this but I the midst of looking for a 303 I've run across a few 280SS's that caught my eye. Anybody have any thoughts on the 280 either SS or BR? Obviously two different boats that both seem great in their own right.

different animal, more of a nice day boat they drive real good, all in what want to do