re: Wanting to completely refit my 1983 17' McKee Craft in south Louisiana - need recs

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So it’s a ‘83? Like 1983 model year? Because when you wrote 83’ I read that as an 83 FOOT long boat.

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Yes, hull is a 1983. Very similar to a Boston Whaler, but with a little heavier thickness and foam filled. They were marketed as 'unsinkable' boats. It's 17 foot and my grandpa had it set up as a side console with front & back fishing platforms. He mostly fished freshwater in the Pearl River and lakes in Missouri.

I want to use it in saltwater (where I fish mostly) and covert it to a center console. The gas tank and batteries are in the back along with the motor - which is overpowered and heavy for a boat that size - which makes for a less than optimal ride and drafts more than it should.