20 CC project???

[JohnC]

Hello, I’m new to this forum. I noticed it a while back from a link on The Hull Truth and it seems like a great community. I would really like to have a 20’ open set up for near shore/off shore fishing around Miami and I feel like by the time I modify it to fit my needs (bracket, full transom, oversize livewell, in-deck fishboxes and storage, … ) I would be looking at nearly complete restoration. This seems like a worthwhile project for me but I’m not 100% sure yet. If this progresses I am sure I will have many questions but for now I would like to know more about my platform of choice.
1) Sport Fishing Magazine has an annual “Boat Buyers Guide” issue (January) that states the SC 20 Classic deadrise to be 21 deg. @ transom. The SC website says 17. Is this just a typo or is there more than one 20 hull design? I am wondering about the rough water performance and I would prefer the steeper deadrise (I would rather not go to a 23’ boat).
2) Is it feasible to make a cuddy into an open, or to remove a casting deck in favor of a single level deck? I am concerned with removing something that is structurally necessary for the hull. The only potential hulls I have seen are not open CC’s but that’s what I really want.
I’m sorry to be so long winded for my first post. I am getting ready to start this project and I really need to know I am on the right track before I put too much cash and energy into it.

Thanks,
John