I'm back

[Endeavour]

I put a bid on a 77 sceptre 23 today. will find out tomorrow if accepted.
A couple of questions for those experienced with this model:
does the forward control/seating on these boats (more fwd than in the 20cc) affect the ride at all?
am i nuts to think that with a re-power i can run this boat 3-40 miles off in decent conditions?
she seems to have lots of pop out hatches, 2 aft of splash well on the removable plate, 2 on the screwed down aft tank cover (where sending unit is). why would they have done this i can't figure. I know they put a new tank in 5 yrs ago but still does not make sense. all the new hatches have caused the fwd aft plat to flex. I plan to restore this boat fully but I need a quick fix for the soft deck plate with 2 hatches in it so i can run her this summer. can i glass in 2 longitudinal stringers to the backside of the plate or should i go lateral? the plate is appx 4' long and 1' deep. or should i just grind it and layup some new glass over the hatch holes?