If you're keeping that boat a while, heck yes, cut down the transom and it will be easier to drive, and you should realize a 2 mph gain. A cheap "mod" is to advance the throttle to around 4100 rpm out of the water, that should also net a small gain. Of course, I started with a 1436 w/ 18 hp LT, have progressed to a 1544/ 25 hp, and now a 1648/ 27 hp, and I would like an 1848/ 35 HP. Your rig is a fine two-man hunting platform but you've got to balance the load and take all due precautions. Since that motor is broken in, switch to synthetic oil and grease (eg. Mobil 1), remove any foam pre-cleaner that may be around the air cleaner, steelflex/gatorglide the hull bottom. If you are really ambitious and have extra $, check out those go kart/racing sites and trick up the motor with new carb, etc., get the $400 SS better flow muffler....vroom, vroom!
