Debating cutting off the factory pods due to poor performance and turning in shallow water/narrow channels. I know everyone will say "buy a mud hull" but this is what I'll be using for a few years. The boat is a 1754 so I hope this won't make it squat because I primarily use the boat for bowfishing and have an extra 600lbs worth of deck, lights, genny, troller, etc. Any opinions? I plan on upgrading heads, exhaust and carb this winter to give a little extra power under heavy load. I know an outboard is a better option, but mud motors are just more fun.

Are the pods part of the transom? As in, if you cut off the pods, will there be 2 big holes in your transom of your boat?
I would cut the pods! I cut the pods off one of my old boats, and I gained speed.
They aren't worth it with use of a Surface drive.

Is the poor performance due to pods or due to the lack of power for the load you're carrying around? And what do you consider poor performance? I ask because cutting off the pods might not result in the performance you're looking for. It might, also. Just depends on what's going on, and there are many things that can be limiting your results.

The pods are welded on from the factory so I would assume if I cut them off there will be a flat transom behind them. Loaded down I understand why the boat is slow (15mph with 2-3 and that extra 600lbs of gear) but unloaded the boat will only push about 3650 rpms and 24mph and if I try and trim up the prop just blows out because there isn't enough clean water near the prop. Also when running through narrow cattail trails the pods actually rub the cattails and it kills my turning speed.

Sounds like cutting them wouldn't hurt. How many hours on the motor? You might have some leaky valves too. My dad's boat has pods and turns those rpms at that speed with two in his 1652.

I'd cut them out. I hate trying to turn a surface drive in any kind of mud with pods. It'll bite and throw the lower unit against the pods if you're trying to work it. That in itself is reason enough to cut them off to me..

Well I broke down and chopped them off. Boat feels totally different, gets out of the hole faster, turns fast, feels more agile, and now runs 27mph. Only issue is the motor cut out a few times when it was cold and took a little water over the back which never happened before, so I'll need to make some splash guards. Very happy with the results.