The $23 are not bad at all but might not match the look 100%. You can cut where you want to and the farther away from the gears the better due to the heat of the TIG. You can also go with a Skeggard and not worry about it again but some don't like the look. I had one on my Baja as the welded replacements just kept breaking at the same spot and the welds looked worse than the gard. If you do go Skeggard, fill it with epoxy and just slide it over your old skeg, wipe off remaining epoxy, no need for the bolts.
Nick
1994 22' Classic-454 B1 Red & white
1981 13' Whaler sport(original owner)
South Tampa Bay, FL "May I mamoo dogface to the banana patch?"