I have been rebuilding my boat, started with soft deck, wound up "gutting" the boat down to the hull. The boat is an 18' Mitchell.<br /><br />Have replaced all components, stringers, cross members, transom, working on the deck now.<br /><br />My question is, when I replaced the transom I did not cut out the space for the motor (intentionally). I have a 82' Johnson 140 with extended shaft (25"), tilt and trim model B, (originally this boat was set up for a short shaft) my understanding is the distance from the bottom of the hull to the top of the "cutout" needs to be 24", is this correct?<br /><br />I know I can mount a jack plate, but I would rather just have the fixed mount, I don't want to add the extra weight.<br /><br />Additionally, originally, the angel from the base of the cutout, beveled from 24" at the base to 30" at the top of the transom, is this correct?<br /><br />I would like to cut the transom before I glass, any help would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Still! trying to get in the water. Ed 