Is a 1.65 gear ratio normal?

[BajaLuvr]

I was going over the original purchase configuration of my 1999 Baja 342 and the drives were ordered with 1.65 gear ratio. Apparently this was not the standard ratio. Any idea what that means to me on performance?... better... worse... or just doesn't f?%#ing matter?

[tommynitro]

Bajaluvr,

Hows it going bro'? The most common application for the 1:65 gears was to compensate for high altitude applications. Where was the boat sold originally? Boats shipped to COlorado and other mountain states could be ordered this way as a way to let the engine rev up a little quicker without the additional lug of the 1:50 standard gear set. Bravo drives were also available with 1:36 gears if you had the motor HP's to pull that gear. If you boat in Nebraska or the midwest now you can change the props around a little to get the engine in the proper RPM range. What is your WOT engine rpm now and what size props do you have? WHich engines?

[smilie=042.gif] [smilie=061.gif]

[BajaLuvr]

The boat was sold in Denver...mile high city ah :mrgreen:

26pitch props and WOT is 4900 on 502's.

[tommynitro]

thats right on the money with the specs..the 1:50 gear sets would require 23 pitch props, maybe 24's on a good day so your boat is set up properly with the drive ratio and props that you have. Enjoy them and dont think twice about the different gear ratio. Just keep it in mind if you ever have to replace a drive or gear set.

Tom

[BajaLuvr]

Big thanks... owe you one.

[mnoutlaw]

I'm with tommynitro, don't waste your money. There’s was theory going around that the higher pitch props is were more efficient, so stick with it. If you ever get a chance to stop by a Fountain dealer check their ratio, they have been using the 1.65 on some of their newer boats.

You should be more consired with your props efficiency, try the Bam Go-Fast marine web page, anything around 10% is good.

http://www.go-fast.com/Prop_Slip_Calculator.htm

[Michael's Angels]

One thing to keep in mind about the 1.65 gear is that they are much harder to find than the standard 1.50. I had to special order them on the internet when I was told they were on backorder for 60 days. MNOutlaw is right, they are becoming more popular, but still pretty hard to come by the gear set.....