Skid plate changes..

[fishnfireman]

thanks Johnny--your width is very close to mine---- Think I'll start by cutting 2" off as I still have hole shot issues with the 300's ventilation the weight I carry and elevation

[hooken203]

Yeah what he said. It does look good.

[AllyFishing]

Mike, don't cut any more than 2" off.

[NOTGSXR]

What's the best way to cut it?

[JOEALLY]

What's the best way to cut it?

I was just about to ask this, I think mine is still factory length.

[Bullet3119]

I cut mine with a cut off wheel on a grinder

[atcje]

I put an abrasive blade in my table saw and cut it, very slowly.

[NOTGSXR]

I think i'll find a sheetmetal place or something to cut it maybe... seeing as mine probably has not been removed in 12 or 13 years... Tips for removal and reinstallation are welcome!

Thx

Dan

[Strokerdean]

If you have access to power tools you should be able to put a 3" or 4" cut off wheel/grinding wheel in a hi-speed hand drill or die grinder to cut the 2" off then use a sander or file to finish the edge. A band saw will also do the job. A abrasive saw wheel on a skill saw will also work. Just some ideas to help save money and time.

[NOTGSXR]

I do have a dewalt 20v lithium circular saw... i may be able to buy a blade/wheel... make a jig and do it. Good idea. Thx.

What about the bolts/screws? Never looked that close at them.

Thx

[AllyFishing]

The bolts securing them into the hull are SS. I forget the exact size. Once removed clean the area with something to remove the silicone sealant. When reinstalling use some sealant again and squeeze it into each hole and thread the bolts in carefully. There's a plate in there with each hole threaded.

[Bullet3119]

I marked mine and cut it from the bottom side while it was still on the boat. I am not responsible for anyones boat that does it that way, however I had zero issues and was done in just a couple of minutes. Looked factory.

[hooken203]

I would take it off and cut it with a band saw. Grinder cut off wheel sparks on the boat no thanks.

[Bullet3119]

I taped some material to protect the hull.

[NOTGSXR]

I taped some material to protect the hull.

Cardboard would work. Hmmmmm.. that just might work if i can make something to guide the saw if there's room.

[fishnfireman]

Think I'll take mine off.
Don't trust myself as much as I used to. A band saw would be best but I don't have one.. Either use a right angle grinder with cutting blade or a reciprocating saw.. A piece of angle iron clamped for a straight edge should help keep it straight then clean it up with a flapper wheel.

[tritontr21]

I'm still on the fence whether to remove any off mine or not. It is running well at the moment with the long one on I'm afraid that I might screw it up lol. On the other hand it could be dragging on topend costing MPH. Just don't want to give up any holeshot! What to do what to do! Tempted to order the new shorter one and keep my long one just in case.

[atcje]

Jay the longer one won't hurt your speed, in fact in smooth water you probably won't notice a difference. The difference will be felt when the water gets a little rough. I believe the back couple inches were making contact with the water at speed, it's thin and it flexed causing a squishy and squirrelly (very technical terms) feeling.

[tritontr21]

Jay the longer one won't hurt your speed, in fact in smooth water you probably won't notice a difference. The difference will be felt when the water gets a little rough. I believe the back couple inches were making contact with the water at speed, it's thin and it flexed causing a squishy and squirrelly (very technical terms) feeling.

That makes sense. I do believe I was experiencing some of that Saturday testing as I left the protected cove headed out into the main lake with the wind churning up some bigger chop I got some strange feelings back there. It had me running flatter than normal but still ran decent numbers.

[Strokerdean]

If Allison can still get you one of the longer ones I would cut the one you have. If you don't like it then buy the longer one like you have. Why spend it now, you can spend it later if needed.