Alpha One Gen two Ratio

I have a 1992 Arriva 2050 Runabout. The engine was replaced with a 305 5.0 Mercruiser engine. (Original was a 5.7 350 but that's another story!)

Well, I had problems with the outdrive upper unit and it needs replaced. The current label says 1.65r and I found one locally as the replacement that is the exact unit but says 1.84r. The guy selling it says that his "boat guy" says it will work fine on my boat. Can anyone tell me if this is true?

 

I guess the "boat guy" is correct.
There will be an 11% rise in engine rpm with the original prop. If that is undesirable, a prop with a 10% higher pitch should correct it.