Re: transoms i/o to outboard
In my travels, I see marine salvage yard after yard full of fantastic junked inboard outboard hulls--like the 22' Sea Ray deep V hull bowriders from the late 1970's, Wellcrafts and other great brands. If solid, these hulls can be either re-engined with a modern inboard outboard unit or switched over to a big 4 stroke outboard.
Changing over to an outboard is no great feat if you use a custom built external motor mount--usually built from aluminum. The motor mount builders are easily found on the internet, and the prices are quite reasonable.
If anything, a 3' long motor mount will lower the center of gravity--and make it ride like it's longer. The challenge is glassing over the I/O hole in the transom.
That's the least expensive method of having a fantastic quality boat.