Idk about how long that boats been in the water I will ask him I got these pic about 2 years ago. Im building mine more for the great lakes.
Its great that you are in contact with someone who is a perfect test bed for what you're mostly planning on doing. If your friend had any cracking issues with those square plates in the V you could always just skip those plates. I think with a strong new floor and indestructible transom you'll already be way ahead in strength.
Whatever you end up doing- having access panels/hatches to your bilge area is a big plus. Cleaning nasty bilge crud and bucking any rivets that loosen over time is way easier if you dont have to cut up your floor of course. Crazy how little access some craft have to even seeing a glimpse of anything under the floor.
