Reverse shift pattern, manual V/B ,no torque converter , Hughes Trans in AZ has done all mine very good folks Tom
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...a/DSC00459.jpg
I would assume that with the converter, you have 2 points of slippage, converter and prop, with a drive hub instead of converter you would only have 1, prop. Hence the reason for a more sluggish feel with a converter.
RCR
Unless you stuck a 200-4R or a 700-R4 in it with a lock-up converter! Or, a 4L80-E would probably be the key. Probably way too many gears for a boat, though. And, heavy.
Reverse shift pattern, manual V/B ,no torque converter , Hughes Trans in AZ has done all mine very good folks Tom
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...a/DSC00459.jpg
Reverse manual valve body is the way to go. It will make the boat really fun to drive. You can play with the gear ratios some, if you have a tall gear in the v-drive. Tall gears and a low first gear will give you some engine rpm to idle with and keep you from racing through the marina or no wake zone.
Good Luck
If your trans has a shift kit in it, it can be made manual only by removing the governor and tack welding the weights in the "out", hi speed position. TIMINATOR