Hi, I bought a 17' vee hull runabout in late October of last year. I haven't done much except to clean out 14 years of debris and figure out what needs to be fixed. So far it's the standard stringers, floor, and transom, so I have a lot of options as to the layout and such. It currently is a closed bow I/O that is mechanically shot. I have the power taken care of with a 125hp Evinrude outboard(I did the USCG hp formula and this engine is within the limits). The next steps are to figure out the best way to mount the outboard(on the transom with a well, or on a bracket), and decide on the layout that would best suit my needs. So far, I think the bracket would be best(if I could figure out how to make one), but on the transom would be easier. As far as the layout, I am torn between a center console, or to raise the front deck and lower the floor underneath and make a little cuddy cabin. My intended use is primarily to fish inshore saltwater(bays and such), but I have a wife and 2 young kids that I would like to take out once in a while. I hope I explained this well enough, I will eventually get pictures to put up so you can see what I'm working with, but that may be a little while. Please let me know what you all think and if there are any suggestions. Thanks.