I recently bought a 1748 southfork w/GT 35. The boat has rear pods attached. I'm not getting the performance I'd like. Just wondering if cutting them off will help significantly?? I know this has always been a beat down topic but I'm asking for some input people have experienced. I hate to cut them off then the boat not perform any better. I run mostly deep water and I just cant get the boat to the speeds I was hoping for.
Thanks

Cut em.

I've cut them off 2 of my boats. What speeds are you getting,Whats in the boat, Motor mods? Need more Info.

In the boat is 1 battery, 6 gallons of gas and life jackets ect. Speeds by myself in deep water is 22-23. No mods on motor. New prop.

Cut em

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I'll try to get some pics.

Mod v front but completely flat with no hooks or dents.

A 1748 should not need pods to run flat with a 35.

you drink the kool aid, id rather drink the whiskey and raise hell!!!!

Where is your gas tank and battery?

you drink the kool aid, id rather drink the whiskey and raise hell!!!!

Have you check - out of water max rpms - to see if it will turn 4100 rpm ???

Pods don't look too bad all in all they are well made.

The out of water rpms are 4100+ but in water I struggle to get 3600. I did notice my transom is 17" and saw where short GT needs 16. This should throw me off that much would it??
My tank and battery are in the back.

Move gas to front.

Move gas to front. Surface drives run best flat. If all the weights in the back it won't get flat. Probably why the pods are their. And yes 1" on transom height can make a difference. It's changes the angle of the drive......

you drink the kool aid, id rather drink the whiskey and raise hell!!!!

I agree with Eljefe - did I just type that - LOL

Also try changing the motor pin to the other holes...

Also put a second person way up front to see if there
is an improvement - or take a big ice chest and put water
in it for ballast....

How much of the prop is out of the water at 3600rpm?

I'd say roughly half. Since my transom is 17 I did move to bottom hole. Perhaps I should try top hole. I notice after moving from middle to bottom I seem to run out of upward trim. The trim is maxed out. I put a large 300 lb guy in the front but never gained anything as expected due to weight. The mph was close to same but max rpms were 3300.

Go to top pin .. Should help

You may be over proped. What prop are you running, you may try a smaller top pulley if i the boat does't have any hooks, and prop is new and a gt recommend prop. Check engine health before removing the pods. A compression test should have both sides about the same. A leak down test is a better test if you know how.. I have a buddy that weights about 350 and had a light 17x48 that ran like shit until he put pods on, I am not going to post his speed , most here would not believe them if I did. If the pods are creating lift and not drag they are not the problem. Checking with a straight edge the pods should flow just like the bottom of the boat ,or just be a little higher, is the bow plowing.

JD