Where to put the motor?

I was pretty sure this boat needed a motor at the start and I was pretty sure I didn't want to hang it on the transom too. So I figured I would make a motor well somewhere just in front of the transom. There are a few things to consider. On a sailboat you will hopefully only use the motor to get around the marina and tricky places where you don't want to run into anybody. Also for the occasion when the wind fails to cooperate or when you have stayed too long and need to get home faster than might be possible under sail. The outboard motor can be tilted up out of the water when you want to reduce drag while sailing or you can disconnect it from the mount and put it away if it is small enough.My boat has a rudder hanging on the transom right in the middle of the boat so if the motor were there it would not be able to tilt up. I could move it to the side about a foot or so and then it would be able to tilt up out of the way of the rudder. After much consideration, I decided to keep it in the middle and simply put it away when I didn't need it. There is a bulkhead in front of the motor creating a sizable storage area so I should be able to just lift it up and lay it down sideways getting it out of the way. Well here is what I have done so far, there is a lot of work to go so stay tuned if your interested.

The first and really scary step is to cut a hole in the bottom of my boat!!!

The to contain the water coming into the boat, I built a box around the hole.

The forward side of this box is the mount for the motor.

The motor hanging from it's mount.

From the cockpit.

The business end

I opened up the transom so water can now flow past it instead of creating a dam, I hope!

This being the new motor transom, I cleaned it up a bit so I can reach the motor clamps and use the tiller. I am also planning to install a nice big scupper (one way flapper) at the rear of the footwell to drain any water that comes aboard into the motor well and out the back.

I am working on where the motor will go when it is not in use. I don't necessarily want it hanging down in the well while sailing as it adds drag. The motor in place while using it for power.

The motor stowed while sailing needs to lay on it's side with the tiller down in order to keep oil from leaking into the cylinder. There will be a hinged deck that covers this whole area. The only time you will see the motor is while it is in use.