why raise deck floor?
 

Sorry if this is a dumb question. About to pull the trigger on a 23 and I see a lot of people raising the floor on their restorations. What is the benefit? I would imagine you would want the higher sides when fishing etc.?

Assuming you're talking about an outboard boat, most everyone is repowering with 4 strokes or hanging a bracket on them. Either way you are shifting the center of gravity rearward which lowers the stern closer to or below the waterline allowing water in. Raise the decks and scuppers and you have dry feet. These boats were designed for light 2 stroke outboards.
Can't think of anyone maintaining original power, i/o, inboard, outboard that would need to do so.

it seems to be more commonly done on the 20s and 18s ( I raised the deck on my 20SF by 2.5" for self bailing purposes). I don't own a 23 so others please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe wet decks are less of an issue on the 23s

I've read plenty of posts about raising the decks. How does the reduced freeboard feel with decks raised up 2.5"? I recently hung a 140 Zuke on my 20 SF and I'm seeing more wet decks than before. I would think a couple of those ping pong ball scuppers would be a less expensive correction.

good to note. thought the scuppers might have been the issue but didnt want to assume. the seller I am dealing with said once he is underway he would just plug them up with a bung and take them out when he was done for the day. I could see raising the floor and putting scupper staight out the stern for fishing so can plug bait etc. right out the back. the original scuppers dont seem ideal for that.

Not necessary on the 23's You loose to much freeboard in my opinion. The 20' hulls that were pre 1974 had lower decks. They were raised in late 73 and all 74 up has taller floors. Heavy outboards and do have a lot to do with water flooding the decks on the 20s but I have a 74 with factory original decks and don't have any issues. I did glass the bottom threw deck scuppers and reran them out the rear but Ive never had water come back in even when I had a heaver outboard on it. Current power is 395lbs dry and they are plenty high above the water line.

On the 20, wasnt twin 85hp outboards an option? That had to outweigh the 395lb you have hanging there.
Planning on slamming a yamaha 175 on mine so maybe a 100lb pig in the bow to make up for it. Decks are being raised an inch or so just in case

From what I see/hear speaking to folks, most of the bigger bracket tubs seem to do a nice job floating a 4 stroke on the 23 and there seems to be quite a few projects where people are happy at the original sole height.

But it seems most people raise the deck a little to make sure they don't get wet feet. At the very least, most people want to put the scuppers out the back, or the side instead of out the bottom.

sole height will affect where you can put your scuppers. If they're not above the waterline, they're supposed to have a seacock/shut-off valve on them. Obviously, your scuppers can't be above your sole.

My factory scuppers out the bottom had no valve, just a corroded bronze tube through a rotted piece of wood covered in glass. They have a rep for sinking the boat.

I'm raising my sole quite a bit for a few reasons, I wanted some more stringer height because I'm pushing my tanks forward, and I actually like a little less cockpit depth to be able to lip/revive big fish. I get nervous leaning over too far with a deep cockpit.

also, raising your sole won't change your freeboard, only your cockpit depth. Freeboard (distance from the waterline to your gunwale top) will remain the same. So, you're not more likely to take water over the side because you raise your sole.

good info. so do most with a 23 leave floor height with the new floatation brackets

Yep, good decision