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.
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