Don't go the other way. I have 1.43 gears and the boat feels like it's really loaded up. I would like to change to 1.5:1 or better. I cannot get over 5100RPMs, that or my engines are weak, need to do a leak down when I get my boat back. I would like to hit 100mph, the math says it will do that, but not with this setup. Time for whipples maybe after seeing what Dan is doing.

I like your idea of going with a bigger ratio, will improve accel, and bump up your RPMs. You can always adjust back down with props. Gears for those drives are about as expensive as nice used props. Might as well do propshafts while you're at it too!!!

8.86% slip is pretty unreal for that hull

I think I'm up around 12% which I thought was pretty good, 18" diameter props help keep the slip down, but like I said, feels all loaded up. Probably not the best for when it's coming out of the water, engines rev up pretty hard and fast when coming out of the water, makes for fun on re-entry though!!! They bite hard.

I had the 1.68 ration with the high X Dimension and 900HP on the 3A's. I was running 31" and Big Diameter. Used to spin it to around 5600-5700

That's what I'm talking about! I run 32pitch w/ 1.43:1 and the cruise speed is pretty good with the old hull tech. Can cruise at 4100RPM around 75mph, lots of load though, poor acceleration.

I am at 12% now with current setup, these drives I'm gonna grab are 1.68 3A so I figure over the 1.58 I'm about 3-400 rpm more with current props, might be perfect in reality.

testing will tell me but for the price I am getting the 3A for I can't pass up the chance to have them. Also getting a set of big shaft 3's with 1.50 ratio one upper is bad. I buying it all lol

I also have a truck bed full of other ssm stuff I am going to buy and some manuals. I may have enough here to build 8-10 drives 😂

putting a big load and low rpm in a heavy boat is no bueno. Thats how **** breaks .
my engines hate big props and low rpm , cares the crap out of me

Got drives today, one set of SSM 3A 1.68 and a set of 1.5 one has bad upper but lowers have 26 spline propshaft upgrade, amd a set of props that bay just be about what would work also on top of what I already have. 17x30 3 blade

couple extra pics for Dan....

Thats what I`m talking about!

Grabbed a few more parts lol

Jesus you running a drive shop over there !?