I am also doing a version of this mod. It is quite high on the old priority list. The rigid glass outboard bracket is coming off and my spring loaded and adjustable unit is going on in its place. I have found that even with the long shaft on Mr. Yamaguchi it does not reach deep enough in lumps and the motor does not quit come far enough out of the water. On a starboard tack the bottom 4-6" of motor drags in the water and, although it may not have that much of an effect, it seems redundant to be tweaking trim and shifting crew weight for more boatspeed when your prop is being dragged through the water. ~:0) I also miss the ability to change the depth of the prop as required. I had intended to use some deck plates for the access. I have five of them in the cockpit area of my other boat. They work well and are water tight, easy to fit and use.....and they are inexpensive. At least where I get them they are. http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/hatches/sd336140-160/index.htm I plan on an eight inch deckplate on both sides just above the bench seats on the inner transom. Although I am almost certain this will be the way I go....the idea of having some added ventilation by installing a louvered unit has some appeal. At the very least, I do have to add some form of venting forward. I have developed a way to leave the foredeck hatch cracked about an inch, and locked, but am not too comfortable with that system and where I leave the boat during the season. Anybody have something that works well? Cheers all, Tim Diebert M17 # 369 'Puff' Kelowna BC.....where it snowed four inches yesterday....and it is still here. ~:0(