[Trayder]

Yes, I raised the Transom to 25" and I raised the deck 3"

As for the innerliner yes, I took a skill saw and ripped it out 4" below the top deck all the way around. I had to add to where the original rod lockers were and I built in 2 thwartship bulkeads that run through the entire middle of the boat and come up to the deck cap on each side. (see midships where the inspection plates are, just aft of the hawse pipes?)

I also have other bulkeads under the deck that can bee seen in the series where the original boat only had 4 stringers and then relied on the deck/innerliner to tie it together.

No, I did not lose any stiffness.