Welcome aboard ledslinger.
I had a 23 seavette with twins and it too suffered the stern squat syndrome. Check out the photo galleries - specifically Diego Torians 23. Shows waterline relative to boot stripe in water and on trailer. Looks really well balanced with a fairly light but capable single engine...The '73 Brochure shows a 23 Sceptre - that is how I'd rather have a 23 sit; wet ride - maybe... but trim tabs are a wonderful thing.
Good luck going forward, and get some pre-op pics up.
P.S. I just picked up a 21 just north of Toledo, with Meinke Marina stickers all over it... sound familiar?