Transom height for SC20 Master Angler

[Chaser]

Hello all,

I recently acquired a 1978 SeaCraft Master Angler 20. I'm excited to get it back on the water. The boat has been sitting out in the weather for about ten years, so its in kinda rough shape. I plan to do a modest restoration including fixing the decks where the core is rotten and soft, topside paint, and re-power. I have a rigging and boat shop so I'm doing all the work myself, except for the outboard.

When I got the boat, it had a 1985 Evinrude 235hp outboard on it. It was supposedly re-built some time back and in OK shape. Well, turns out it was shot it had been overheated and is basically scrap. I'm going to put a re-built Mariner 175 on it instead, being built at a local shop.

The boat currently has a 20" transom. The motor can be built with either 20" or 25" transom height, its my call I just have to let the mechanic know. The transom is actually in very good shape, with no rot or soft spots at all, so it doesn't need repair. But since the boat needs a bunch of other fiberglass work I'm thinking about raising the transom up to get the powerhead further away from the water.

The waterline on the boat has been raised I think as a result of the weight of the large outboard. It also has splash plates and some other devices to keep from being swamped. Obviously it sat stern down and had problems getting swamped. Does anyone have a recommendation as to whether the 20" stern height is too low? I've searched around the forum a bit and haven't found exactly the answer I'm looking for.

I'm spending a bunch of time and money to get the boat in good shape. Its a great boat and from everything I've read here I think I'll be really happy with it. I don't want to go through all this work only to find out I really should have raised the transom when I had the chance.

Whats the advice?