Direct Drive or Speed Reduced? - Differeces WRT Efficiency/Contolability?

[mermaid]

For my 1/48 Gato, I can use two larger, costlier Pittman (9000 series) servomotors and drive the props directly or I can choose to run a pair smaller motors with belt recuction drives.
The simplicity of direct drive is attractive but I'm concerned about possibly lugging the motors with the attendant loss in efficiency. I also wonder if I will have sufficiently fine control of RPMs at ultra low speeds.
On the other hand, dual belt reductions are certainly more complex and probably more expensive. Which choice is best?

[wingtip]

belt drives are quiet too....

belt drives are quiet too.... and if its gear reduction it will also give you the fine adjustments at low speed..... the lower the better in my opinion... not suppose to be speedboats ya know lol....