What would be the smallest or shortest length you could run a
skeg safely? Mine has been "dressed" a few times from rocks and even some boat ramp trimming. I'm going to put a nose cone on it and wondered about replacing with a stock length or working what i've got. Any thoughts?

I would say it depends on the boat. How does it handle now? I did have a trim switch short out on the highway once and grind the skeg to about an inch of the bullet and I still went out for the day. Honestly couldn't tell much difference but that was a 51 mph runabout.

Ouch! I would think at a certain point an overly short skeg would affect the boat's steering and tracking.

I didn't think you even needed a skeg @ 50mph!

It all depends on your X dimension. If your low with the X, you can get away with less skag. If your prop is running on, or close to the surface, you will need all the skeg. Most boat Manufactures have a very user friendly X, that being your case, you could safely shave a little off the bottom and still run safe.

We broke the skeg off at the bullet on our Liberator and noticed no difference in how the boat handled.