Hey guys Im new here, but kinda familiar with jet boats. Im in the middle of doing a rebuild on my 76 18' Rogers and noticed some water leaking from the edge of my intake. There has been a little water setting around the top of the intake. I am planing to reset the intake but am thinking of getting it machined for a shoe and ride plate but I dont know how much modification is needed to the boat itself for the rideplate. I am capable of general DIY work and fiberglass work.

I have also heard that the Rogers perform best with a small set back on the pump (as far back as it can go while still in the stock transom adapter). The Hand hole is about 1/3 of the way through the Transom right now. The bottom of the boat is a little rough around the intake so im not sure what work has been done there already.

Any help or advice is appreciated.