Option 1, or Option 2?

[Terrierman]

Well then.  If it was my boat I would do another 12 or maybe 18 inches of deck on top of the gunwales, put in a cross member at the gunwales and at floor level, put a front on to make a box, put a door in it and then put on a remote controlled bow mount troller with battery in the box.  And use the rest of the box for other storage needs.  Did much the same to an old semi vee I had back when heck was a pup.  Did it with 3/4" CCA plywood and treated wood members.  Covered it with brownish turf.  SS fasteners and  big aluminum pop rivets. Never a problem.

[MrGiggles]

Just in case you wanted more ideas, this is what I did early on with my last boat. Started with a trolling motor plate like you, which snowballed into a small front deck, and then into a much larger front deck with a livewell. This is what I looked like before I sold it. Ended up being a pretty slick little mini-bass boat for fishing solo or with a buddy. I could flip the middle hatch open, and someone could sit in there with a seat in the front base facing backwards. 

Pics of the deck before the addition are in here.

I sold that boat to a guy in Eudora, I suspect it's still running around Aldrich somewhere.

https://forum.tinboats.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=44454&p=447338#p447338

 

[dtrs5kprs]

1 hour ago, MrGiggles said:

Just in case you wanted more ideas, this is what I did early on with my last boat. Started with a trolling motor plate like you, which snowballed into a small front deck, and then into a much larger front deck with a livewell. This is what I looked like before I sold it. Ended up being a pretty slick little mini-bass boat for fishing solo or with a buddy. I could flip the middle hatch open, and someone could sit in there with a seat in the front base facing backwards. 

Pics of the deck before the addition are in here.

I sold that boat to a guy in Eudora, I suspect it's still running around Aldrich somewhere.

https://forum.tinboats.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=44454&p=447338#p447338

 

We saw your boat for sale about the same time we bought ours. Ours is a bare bones 16' Lowe, Merc 25 with a stainless on the back. Lot of room to play with mods. And it's our #2 ride, so nothing is urgent. It's completely fishable now. But you know how it starts...