jack plate on 20' Seafari

[bigeasy1]

The 20 Seafari I bought is still sitting in the same spot when I brought it home.I can't decide what I'm going to do with it. either repower it or sell it.
One thought I had was to buy a used outboard and drop it on the boat,do a little wiring,maybe fabricate a raised splashwell to keep the water out and play with it down at the CT. shore,maybe do some striper or whatever fishing.

So here's the question,the transom is made for a 20" motor,but I've found some halfway decent deals on 25" motors.
Could I use a jack plate on the transom to be able to raise a 25"motor to the proper height,or would I have to raise the transom at the engine location to the proper height for a 25" motor?
I'm looking for the easiest way to do this without a lot of glass work as the transom was replaced and is very good condition.
I do know that if I go ahead with this,one thing is for sure and that is to construct a raised splash well enclosure to keep water out of the boat in snotty condition's I'm not a fan of that original design with that open splash well only a few lnch's from the water line.

So can I use a 25" with a jack plate or should I just go with a 20" motor?