Which gear ratio would be better for top end:
1.48 1.5(approx) 1.62
41 w/ 800's & 3a's???

It would depend if you are looking for Acceleration or Top End !

Top end, as my post states. I know the 1.62 will give great accel., but I've been told by one of the best that I will get 100 more ft. lbs. of torque @ the prop shaft w/ this ratio vs. others if you do the math.......

Sorry I did not read. My .02 would be the 1.5 unless you change the motors.

Typically, although there are exceptions to the rule, using more reduction to spin a larger pitch slower is faster (less propeller drag because blade speed is lower through the water). The exceptions are when a particular boat "likes" certain pitches because of bow lift vs stern lift.

Sounds good, but if I'm getting 100 more ft. lbs. of torque @ the prop shaft, (vs. the other ratios )theoretically couldn't I spin a bigger wheel???

Wether your boat likes a bigger "diameter" or not could depend on drive height, prop pitch, turning in vs out, etc. Typically you change 2 pitches with a change from 1.5 to 1.62 (bigger, 1.5 ratio running a 30 then a 32 might be about right for a 1.62).

My 41 has 3a and when it had 850's with 1.62 gears, I lost about 6 mph. Aceleration was great, top end was terrible. I changed gears to 1.48 and got my top end back, my new motors are 1000's and I'm saying with the 1.48

what's your top end now???