Quote Originally Posted by jason1973 View Post
question is, why hasn't anyone done the 1:76 from the start? why do we even have 1.5. Not like there is a material cost difference.
Just for the record, I am not really an engine or prop specialist, but in the past, we didn't really need the 1.76. The gear ratio and prop have to go hand in hand. In the past, the 1.5 was the best tradeoff because we had the right props to match it along with the boat sizes. 20 years ago, the majority of boats were sold with 1 or 1.25 gear ratio. Because again, at that time they had the right props to match it. A larger prop is NOT always the best solution. As I said before, everything is a tradeoff. A large prop can give more torque, but sometimes a smaller prop gives more speed. Also, a larger prop without the power to turn it is not effiecient. Same as a small prop that just slips.

That is why I explained the props and the transmission. I am sure with time we will find even better solutions, but these things take a little time. And there is actually a material cost difference. The props are more expensive and the transmissions are a little more expensive too. If the 1.76 takes over the market then higher volumes can probably get the 1.76 transmission close in price to 1.5, but a larger prop has more material and is more expensive. Also, the standard prop for the 1.5 was actually a hand finished prop. The 15.5 props are CNC cut.