'04 GTX Supercharged 4-TEC top speed lower?

[SPDSKTR]

I took my behemoth on the water this past weekend and noticed the top speed had decreased by 10 MPH. In fact, the entire speed to RPM ratio seemed off. At 5,000 RPM, I generally do about 32-34 MPH. I was pulling at about 28-30 MPH. The top speed never really went past 50 MPH, too. It would normally hit about 62 MPH. I checked the grate for any blockage and saw nothing... only one rail that runs parallel with the hull seemed bent out of shape a little. Could this be the problem?

 

[SPDSKTR]

You know the phrase, "You won't see what you don't look for?" Yeah... I completely missed the fact my grate had completely broken. I'm thinking my step-father's family or my ex-girlfriend (not ex for that reason) hit a log or something. I mean... what the hell do you do to break a steel grate?

Time for a new one...