I have the stock 35 gears in my mud buddy 35 with carb and exhaust...should I buy the one tooth smaller gear that's recommended for the 4000 which is a 49 tooth instead of 50 or should I just save my 85 bucks? my boat wind up picking up speed..29 bump 30 with me(178)friend(195) and 26 to 28 with me(178),cousin(160), friend(195) and other friend(120)(all shallow water speeds)..boat ran 26 27 originally when I first got it now picked up speed..my rpms are between 4200 to 4450 depending on deep or shallow water..wondering if I should get the lower gear and maybe hold 30 but might loose load carrying capability..what y'all think?

You change gear ratio to help adjust max RPM. With that setup (valve springs not shimmed) you should have a rev limiter that is keeping you under 4350. 4450 is close to vavle float. A one tooth change will only be ~2% RPM change. The changes affect hole shot not load carrying but a one tooth gear change will probably not be noticeable in performance.

yeah the boat dr is doing them when I bring my boat in. would a 48 make a difference that would be noticeable or about the same stuff. It feels like I'm geared low the boat just jumps up pretty quick and doesn't feel like I have much top end

How bout the prop ???

An inch of added pitch usually drops 200 rpm....
Which if I read between the lines of DBs post - a 2 tooth
change will also drop 200 rpms....

A 1.2 ratio turning a 10 pitch - is bout the same as
a 1.4 ratio turning a 12 pitch....

I have the big blade I think it is, 10x12, and I run with the bolt about right at the surface of the water. so the prof about half in and half out..Im just looking for a little motor speed, wanna be in the 30 mph club ya know.

It costs alot of money to go a couple MPH faster.