You're right - the relevant portion of the class rules is as follows:

"3.5 DAGGERBOARD.
The top of the daggerboard may not be inserted below the deck level. Hand holds in the daggerboards may be added. The bottom of the handholds will then be considered the top of the daggerboard and may not be inserted below deck level. No part of the daggerboard or daggerboard well may be removed or added for the purpose of varying rake. All daggerboards manufactured by Nacra are legal for racing except ones which require modification of daggerboard or daggerboard well to accommodate them."

Maybe if I cover up the handholds it'll be as if they never existed. I certainly never asked the factory to give me a shorter board that adds deck clutter.