I'm planning on putting shorties on my 2000 38' Lightning this winter, and it seems that the standard is -2s. My boat is rigged extremely deem in comparison to the latest models, so I definitely don't feel moving up 3" is excessive. Do people shy away from them just because of the mods necessary to the upper, or are there other reasons?

good question. I am curious also. I swear my drives are 6' under the water lol...

W my -2's; 15 5/8 Dia Props fit but it is close.. W a -3 you would need to run smaller diameter props if you are using bravo uppers.. If you want to get on plane w a high X, bigger seems to be better. I sent you a fb friend request just now

I will also add.. If you have a super deep X , a small set of props might be faster and have no problenm getting on plane, so the -3 might be good. But no one knows where your propshafts are in relation to the bottom, but you .

Sharkies....

Biggest prop you can run is a 14" 3/4 diameter with a -3 lower and Bravo 1 upper. If you buy a complete (upper & lower) Imco -3 drive you can spin 15"7/8

unless you get the saw out

but if I notch the upper to run bigger wheels there is no plausible disadvantage at that point?

The drive will no longer accept the stock lower. And it may look a little stranger that chopped off. I looked into it when I was putting mine on. But like I said you could probably go faster with small props if your ex is low

How many blade prop you looking to run?