Tom, I agree with you that the motor and boat are way overgeared. A 427 motor making 800 hp is overgeared with 22's if he is running the propeller you described. The wing on a boat with that kind of performance is just as you say, to look way cool. 15's in the box is a good call.
I have a question V-drive Tom, I just put a set of 18's in my V-drive and it seemed that there was very little backlash in the gears but there was some.
At idle and low rpm in gear, there is some chattering going on. I know there is plenty of oil and when I get on the gas a little it goes away. Is this normal?
Thanks.