I am building a surface drive. I currently have a long tail and hate it. I will be using a 7 hp Honda clone turning a 7x5 prop running a 14x36 Jon. I know I won’t get huge speed but tired of muscling a long tail. I was wondering on gear ratio and tooth count for the drive pulleys? I’ll be using a 1” wide toothed xx duty belt.

I have a 14x36 jon with homebuilt suface drive. I run 1.63:1 ratio behind a hopped up honda clone and 9x8 hill marine prop. Dodge 16h top and 26h 1/2 inch pitch pulleys. It will do about 12 too 14mph with reasonable load but has excellent torgue. I have been very happy with it. Motor is jetted, has exhaust header, and aftermarket air cleaner. I also tweaked the governor spring a little and rpm at wot is running about 3800 to 4000. I know this because I put a tach on it.