Master Angler Deck Replacement

[GradySailfish]

The boat yard I bought my 78 20 MA from has finally unburied her from the back thier yard. She's now home and waiting for restoration.

The two main conerns are a new deck and a new transom. The deck is something that interests me most at this time. Around the sides there are drainage channels that lead into the scuppers at the back of the boat. If I replace the deck, I'd like to keep those so my plan is the following: Cut along the inside of that channel...cut carefully! Remove the deck pieces and re-core if possible, if removal in one piece is feasiable I intend to replace the floor with either marine ply or NIDA Core. Most importantly I intend to leave the drainiage channel around the edge in tact. When I out the deck back in place, I hope to put it back exaclty how I removed it. First I would add a lip around the underside of the channel, so the new deck would sit higher then the channel, basically I would replicate what I have now.

My questions are..is my plan a good idea? Second is the deck laminated to the stringers? Is it possible to remove and recore the existing floor, thereby keeping the surface gelcoat? Should I also raise the entire deck a couple inches to facilitate better selfbailing capabilities? I heard the earlier 20's had "wet feet" issues.

Thanks in advance.

Suggestions or pointers about the transom are also welcome.

Will post pics in a few days.