Re: first post!
NoDoze - welcome to CSC !
As a Seafari owner, ob model, with a transom notch, I can appreciate the desire for a closed transom - but I agree with previous comments re: brackets on a 20' - I'm not at all sure that's the way to go - if I were you I'd stick with the IO, upgrade to a new Mercruiser / Alpha drive, have the full transom that came with, maybe raise the floor 2", and be done with it.
But I guess I also question cutting a Seafari up to make a CC. Now, I don't know where you live/ boat, but the 20' hull is quite a bit smaller than the 23' hull - up here in New England on the north shore, I've been quite happy to have the closed bow the cuddy provides, not to mention that it provides lockable, out of the weather, storage, and a bit of privacy for the potty, etc. And, while mine is a '73, and there may be some construction differences, I think you're biting off a way big task to make that much of a significant change - I just know that in 4 footers, I have often taken a little water over the bow, and I'm glad it's not open - were it a 23', I think that would be a big difference.
Not to say it can't be done - my brother took a 23' SeaBird that was an IO, cuddy cabin model, lifted off the entire cap, and converted it to a CC, closed the hole in the transom, and hung a bracket and an OB - yes, that's a very fishing friendly layout, but again, that's on a 23'. Looking at the original construction of the SeaBird, vs, the SeaCraft Seafari, I think doing that same thing would be much tougher on the Seafari, and your going to end up completely redesigning / rebuilding the gunnels.
Guess I'd recommend think about your use - you alone, you and a girlfriend, you and a wife and kid, you and a bunch of fishing buddies, and see where that leads you.
good luck !
Bill
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