1500m race plan questions

Hey, so I have been rowing for about four years now, and because of where I row and the fact that I'm in high school, we race 1500's. Up until this point, our race plan has been, starting five, high 20, then settle into the piece before jacking it back up again with 300 to go. The problem we've run into in the past is that consistently by the time we settle we are already in last, which we typically make up for in the piece through our strong middle and fast sprint, but it can be very stressful. Seeing that your still only in third of six with 800 to go can be daunting and our form typically pays the price. Although we usually end up pulling it out in the end, the entire race is a fight to that front spot which we typically only pull into with about 250-300 to go. So my question is, do we risk going out harder in the beginning to try and take the lead early and then maintain or do we just keep doing what were doing if at least it works? Me and my rowing partner were thinking something along the lines of starting 5, high/power 50 (38ish rate), then settle into base (34-36). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!