[Billpotter]

I did an 18 12 years ago. We still own her- for now. Offspring has grown much bigger- need more space- moving into the 23' when she is complete, and putting the 18' up for adoption. Put a solid motor well wall of poly up 9" sealed tight with two drain checks for the deck. Yamaha 130 on a 20" transom tilted clears fine. From blue water experience, I'd stick with the 20" motor's lower center of gravity------ Put plugs in the transom drain sleeves, sealed the bilge access, installed a Rule 2000 with float with all the time power in the motor well. Over the transom water gets pumped back overboard very quickly- drilled two 3/4" drain holes at the aft corners of the deck straight into the bilge to drain casual water that gets on the deck, with plugs to put in on the rare occasions that I want to. installed two Rule 2000 pumps with ultra safety switches in the bilge with big dash indicator lights; powered by a Group 27 dual purpose battery for each pump (2 total) forward under the console. Set up a high water alarm with a float switch and a car alarm (they never fail). Put an isolated solar panel on the T top to keep the batteries topped off. This set up lived in the water full time for 5 years. I have many times been out in "what the heck am I doing out here" conditions fishing, and the set up has worked very well. My family has gone all over the place in the Bahamas with it, including crossing more than twice alone on her own bottom: I'd highly recommend it.