Metan put an engine under the console of a 23 with a jackshaft to an I/O - there is a Youtube video somewhere of it. It was a pretty impressive looking arrangement - worth thinking about (but I don't have an extreme aversion to gimbal bearings :D)

Correction - it was Metan (not Wildfire) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDLwnWmhYtc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqe04oS2qUY

Yes, the Metan redo's are nice video's to watch.I like looking around the background to see what other stuff they have going on.And Islandtrader,If I go with an outboard conversion, the platform obviously will not be used,It is a nice piece, and complete.

The console is a disaster. It's coming together, lot of glass work, lot of holes, lot of removed teak, quite a project on this part. It's taking as long as a complete deck, but it's almost there. Another week and it'll be in primer, ready for all new rigging.

http://i.imgur.com/CDf32qCl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/djpELdWl.jpg

Gutted the interior, EVERYTHING out, all new foam, glassed in stringers, extra support, all 1708 cloth. Took out the I/O stringers, reglassed the floor with extra layers of 1708 all the way thru. New rigging tubes are in, we cut a lot more out this week, those pictures will come in a little while. This boat is going to be an outboard.

http://i.imgur.com/VwvaAyEl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/e1PTz9Hl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/eetF0Rll.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/H9dX2RVl.jpg

Alotta work done to the decks, under and on top. So many holes! All glass reinforced, now it's in primer.

http://i.imgur.com/sPL4khKl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wIjTH4bl.jpg

It's been awhile since I posted pictures but we've been busy on a couple restorations. Still not sure if this should be a bracketed boat or a cut transom outboard. I'm open for ideas SOON, I'm ready to cut the transom out and redo it. I'm opting for the cut transom at 30". Not enough pros on the bracketed boats. Looking for input.

Also gonna have a few original parts for sale soon. Let me know if anyone on here wants some stuff. Cleats, console rod holders, swim platform, bow light, all original stuff. I don't know what kind of money I want for them, let me know what you guys are looking for.

The clamps worked good, a few screws pulling the corners together, and wedges jammed in around the bottom layers secured the new transom to the hull.

https://i.imgur.com/6Wux3ZOl.jpg

Everything jammed in tight. Squeezed out resin everywhere.

https://i.imgur.com/KiVEGWDl.jpg

All cut to fit, dropped in nicely, cabosiled all the corners and edges. Three layers woven roving outside the plywood and double 1708 tabbed in all the corners.

https://i.imgur.com/3W06OC5l.jpg

We are going to go with two 3/4 pieces, marine plywood, laminated together and sandwiched with CSM mat.

https://i.imgur.com/zES7Kd2l.jpg

Everything is almost cleaned up. A lot of nasty stuff.

https://i.imgur.com/0sePPpXl.jpg

Ready to cut it.

https://i.imgur.com/nNpxTd1l.jpg

Going for the transom. We're gonna make this boat a cut transom at 31", not a bracketed boat.

https://i.imgur.com/nP56ZR1l.jpg

All the bilges are done, new foam all sealed up, tank platform and new bulkheads. Obviously not going back to an I/O for several reasons. Really do not like the bracket look so it's gonna get cut and framed in with a well like some of the later 23's.

https://i.imgur.com/5ATxubvl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/faw3oBwl.jpg

Shaping up!

Starting to get back in action on this boat, let it hang for the summer but starting to gain interest again. The transom well will be all Coosa and glassed in to gain transom support. More will come...

https://i.imgur.com/PPYBLTrl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mOWRDAol.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eWkYzFTl.jpg

No more Mercruiser cutout, working on a mockup transom to use for a template.

https://i.imgur.com/TaShJyAl.jpg

Deck is on and cut off the top cap so we can make up a well.

https://i.imgur.com/ZqznAWZl.jpg

Transom is in at 2 1/4" thickness, all sealed, top and bottom, should last a lifetime.