Help with picking right Gears ratio For Mercury Lowerunit

[Bayside]

Good day, I need some help in deciding which gears to get for my Sportmaster LowerUnit. I’m stuck between the 1.62, and the 1.75. I would like someone to explain what performance each gear would give. I have a 21 ft shadow with a 300xs. I would like some help in helping me pick the right gear set for my boat.
Help me understand different gears

[JR IN JAX]

I love the 1.62 on mine.

[Li'l Toy]

Gearing relates to both redline rpms and prop. I don't know the Shadow too well, but for many light, fast boats the props available for the 300XS would cause the engine to hit redline because of the ratio with a 1.75. 1.62 leaves you more freedom. I do know that when I reower with eithe a 300XS or a 300r on my 21' Eliminator, I want 1.62.

I don't know if the shaft size is the same for the 300r, but its existence has resulted in some higher pitched (and higher priced) props coming on the market.

Someone on here probably owns a Shadow with a 300XS and that will be your best answer.

Oh, and I bet the resale market for a motor with a 1.62 is better than a 1.75.

[Capt.Insane-o]

1.62

[JPEROG]

That hull won't utilize the 1.62 to where its worth giving up the acceleration of a 1.75. If you were running a lightweight boat or tunnel then I would go with a 62. The difference is a lot more then I would have thought until I rode in the same boat and we swapped them back and forth on a 20' LCB. Run a two pitch steeper propeller and you will net the same top end but still have better acceleration and planing capability.

A 1.75 with a 28 should put you in the mid 80s and good load carrying capabilities based on what we have seen with Randy's checkmates.

Joe

[Duro78]

That hull won't utilize the 1.62 to where its worth giving up the acceleration of a 1.75. If you were running a lightweight boat or tunnel then I would go with a 62. The difference is a lot more then I would have thought until I rode in the same boat and we swapped them back and forth on a 20' LCB. Run a two pitch steeper propeller and you will net the same top end but still have better acceleration and planing capability.

A 1.75 with a 28 should put you in the mid 80s and good load carrying capabilities based on what we have seen with Randy's checkmates.

Joe

What he said Def 1.75. labbed 30p promax will fit the bill

[Steve G]

What he said Def 1.75. labbed 30p promax will fit the bill

This is my set-up and it works out perfect 94MPH With a 300XS on a 22 Progression.