5

27 inch should be good. I made my 1969 20ft to 26 3/4 inch from transom to keel and 27inch wide, after mounting the 140hp suzuki I could get it up to the last hole so I could have gone even higher and narrower it had plenty of space. I'm all about keeping that notch as small and high as possible for safety. It's looking really good keep the pictures coming!

Moving along

Looking good! Deck and transom are airex? That will be a very nice ride when you are done.

Yes, It is airex 3/4" 24lb in the transom, and 20 at 1/2" for the decks. Got some lighter weight divinycell for the engine well, anchor locker and sidedecks.
Going to get tossed out of the heated workbay after the xmas break, so just gotta get done what i can.. Lucky they let me in at all so i gotta take advantage of it.