I have a tracker Grizzly, its got a 20 inch transom, but Im about to get a steal on a SD thats for a short transom. What would yal do? I know i have some options but im looking for the most economical? I have been doing some reading on the forum and there is alot ot talk about switching out parts or cutting transom down, whats the best?

Thanks,
Josh

If you have the money I would convert the motor

If you have the money get a real "mud boat" to match trhe motor's transom height.
If not cutting the transom is a 30 minute job with a sawzall and then mock up a channel to cover the exposed wood. Done it lots of times. Duckdon

Don't cut the transom. There is no benefits to having a short transom. If you are looking at a GDSD, then keep looking (believe you have to buy a whole new frame to change to tall transom). If you are looking at anything else, convert the motor to a tall transom.

Cheap way- cut transom
Expensive way- convert short to long

If it's a mud buddy, think about getting a 32" shaft for it and running it on the tall transom you have. It creates what is essentially a tall transom "mini". Gives you better clearance in heavy weeds also.

On a gt it's cheap!! Just change belt housing and belt takes maybe a hour!!

So what motor is it

This must be one of those guess wut motor I have threads.

I bought a used hull and the previous owner the transom cut down. I have never had water come over the back or seen any other down sides to doing this....

My wife bought my skiff in the dark in Morgan City. It had a tall transom and a short transom GDSD mounted to it. I had the transom cut down to 16" and it has worked perfectly. While we were at it we made it stronger for the SD. This is on a 15'x46" skiff with 24" sides and I've never had water over the stern except once when backing the trailer in on a steep ramp a bit too fast. Cut it down and don't look back.. It cost me $500 but it was well spent.