dealer says they have to remove skid, and track, to install stud
protectors, this seems ridiculous

My Rage came with the tunnel protectors installed, I paid a buck each for 1.40 stainless studs with colored aluminum backers at the Syracuse show. Maybe the venture does not come with the protectors but I don't think you need to remove the track to install them either. I can see possibly removing the skid would make it a little easier to do the protectors, but you could just let the track hang down out of the way after that.
I have ridden only Polaris since '95 and I can yank a skid AND the track in less than two hours on them. The skid on a Yamaha doesn't look that much harder but the track does because of the outboard brake rotor. I could be wrong but it sounds like you need to get a second estimate to me.

Getting my RS Venture studded today.Put up another post if you want the details!