my recomend is 300\350 rpm, for a side wheeler,i run mine at about 50\75% full power, depending on the weather, if its windy, flat out.
stern wheelers are slower, but be carefull, too slow no thrust
you can always throttle back w speed control , but you cant get extra revs out of a motor\gear box.
i now try to use HTD belts, rather than MXL, who have sn
maller teeth