Alex, I can follow your train of thought.
I used to ride the Science. I rode it w/o the center fin for the last couple of months I had it. It will be noticeably different. Much looser and easier to break it loose (which I think that you are going for). Just try it out and see how you like it.
I didnt plug the wholes. I figured that sinch it was a composite/foam core it couldny be that bad...